Klein Constantia

“Vin de Constance is about a sense of place. It’s the vineyards that make the wine.”
Dating back to 1685 and described as one of the world’s most beautiful wine estates, Klein Constantia is set amidst ancient trees on the upper foothills of the Constantiaberg, with views across False Bay. The perfect location for cool climate wines, Klein Constantia produces some of South Africa’s top wines, including one of the world’s best natural sweet wines, Vin de Constance.
Prized by leaders and aristocracy throughout 18th Century Europe, Constantia’s Vin de Constance soon became part of the literature of the 19th century. In Edwin Drood, Charles Dickens tells of “…the support embodied in a glass of Constantia and a home-made biscuit”, while Jane Austen recommends that her forsaken heroine try a little Constantia for “…its healing powers on a disappointed heart”.
Following devastation in the vineyards, caused by Phylloxera at the end of the 19th Century, the wine was revived by Klein Constantia in 1986, reaffirming this unique natural sweet wine’s place in history. Since being re-introduced, Vin de Constance has consistently appeared in lists of the world’s top wines.
Klein Constantia was bought by businessmen Zdenek Bakala and Charles Harman in May 2011. In January 2012, Swedish-born Hans Astrom was appointed as managing director at Klein Constantia, he joined the ownership as a partner in 2015. In June 2012, Bruno Prats (former owner of Chateau Cos d’Estournel in Saint-Estèphe) and Hubert de Boüard (co-owner of Chateau Angélus in Saint-Émilion) brought with them a wealth of knowledge and experience and modernism.
Klein Constantia continues to make wines that reflect the cool Constantia climate, as well as their historic tradition under the watchful eye of talented winemaker Matthew Day.
As a WWF Conservation Champion, the vision is aligned with that of the World Wildlife Fund as the aim is to unite conservation and agricultural development in a complementary, mutually beneficial manner. Klein Constantia continually strives to produce wines in more environmentally responsible ways, adopting as many organic and biodynamic practice as possible.

Internationally recognised iconic fine wine for its historical importance, origin, quality and unique style. Since 1685, one of the oldest fine wines, re-introduced in 1986 with success, after having been dormant for almost 100 years.
Constantia was savoured in the 18th and 19th centuries by Emperors, Kings and Queens, from Napoleon Bonaparte and Prussian emperor Frederick the Great to British monarchs King George IV and Queen Victoria; it found its way into the writing of many great 18th and 19th century authors: Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Charles Baudelaire...
“Vin de Constance is about a sense of place. It’s the vineyards that make the wine.” and Klein Constantia is a unique combination of location and heritage. One of the most mythical vineyards in the world: Constantia Peninsula, rendez-vous of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans on 600 million year old granite decomposed granite.
Located between 35 metres and 350 metres above sea level, with a constant sea breeze above 150 metres."
Racy, very delicate dessert wine, Vin de Constance is characteristically fresh, the perfect balance between sugar, acid and alcohol, while expressing the cool climate location and very specific soil types of Klein Constantia.
Today, Vin de Constance consistently scores over 90 points in Wine Spectator Magazine and other rating publications like Robert Parker and in September 2012 Neal Martin of eRobertParker awarded Vin de Constane 2007 a 97-point rating."