South Africa

Viticulture in the Cape region of South Africa dates from 1651 when the first vines were planted by Dutch settlers. Wine was produced from these grapes for the first time in 1658, and in 1685 Constantia was established by Simon Van der Stel as a growing region between False Bay and Hout Bay. Van der Stel planted the first Muscat de Frontignan grapes in the Constantia Valley, thus beginning the legacy of the famous sweet wine of Constantia, best known today as Vin de Constance. The new era for Klein Constantia’s 146 hectare Estate began in 1986, when production of sweet Muscat de Frontignan wine – now known as Vin de Constance – was revived. Alongside this iconic wine, a range of elegant Estate wines are produced, with a particular focus on the variations of Sauvignon Blanc which can be achieved from differing parcels of vineyard.