Klein Constantia

Klein Constantia ticks every box you would want from a five-star wine estate. Firstly, located on the eastern slopes of the Constantiaberg south of Cape Town, with ancient trees, native vegetation and views over False Bay, it is stunningly beautiful. Secondly, since the estate was founded by Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the Cape in 1685, it has some serious history. Thirdly, it is home to both a bona fida classic wine style – the luscious Vin de Constance dessert wine – and also genuinely exciting Sauvignon Blancs that are helping to reset the grape’s potential in the Cape.

The estate’s cool climate is key. Vineyards (all organic or biodynamic) mostly face east or south-east, thereby avoiding the worst of the sun. High up on the slopes of the mountain, and just 5km from the southern Atlantic, Constantia is 4-5 degrees cooler than Stellenbosch. It’s perfect for growing Sauvignon with subtle aromatics and a taut minerality. Winemaker Matt Day, who has worked with Sancerre’s Pascal Jolivet, uses old oak, wild yeast and controlled oxidation to add complexity and mouthfeel to his serious and ageworthy wines. The conditions aren’t quite perfect, though – Klein Constantia loses an astonishing 27 tonnes of fruit a year to greedy baboons…