Constantia is steeped in South Africa’s wine history. Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the Cape, was given a grant of land in 1685 which he named Constantia. One theory why he called it Constantia suggests it was after the daughter of the man who was instrumental in getting him the grant, so as a mark of gratitude.
Given the association of van der Stel with the founding of Constantia, it would be easy to believe he established the Cape’s first farm on that land; in fact that honour fell to Steenberg, at the southern end of Constantia valley. Catharina Michelse, also known as The Widow Ras - she was married five times - asked for and received from van der Stel this land in 1682. She is remembered in the farm’s Bordeaux blend, Catharina, though no longer a five-way blend.
Steenberg quickly became known for stellar sauvignon blanc and shortly afterwards for a mint-distinctive merlot. There was already a Cap Classique, Steenberg 1682 Brut, when John Loubser took over as winemaker in 2001. Bubbly made in the traditional method is John’s favourite style and he’s gone on to create his own brand, Silverthorn. Under him and his successor, JD Pretorius, and now with Elunda Basson, Steenberg’s quality continues on an upward curve. Today there are three Cap Classiques: 1682 Chardonnay, 1682 Pinot Noir and, flagship Lady R. Any one of these would make a sparkling start to the festive season.
Although Steenberg’s cellar, tasting area and Bistro are housed in a modern building, the manor house is one of the valley’s oldest U-shaped, Dutch-style houses, built in 1695. Its unique feature is a Holbol gable, one with both convex and concave curves.
Nearby Buitenverwachting (beyond expectations) also originally formed part of van der Stel’s Constantia estate. The sub-division was sold to Cornelis Brink in 1793; by 1825 there were 90 000 vines planted. Today there are many more in the farm’s 78ha of vineyards, set around the beautiful old farm manor house and buildings, spacious lawns and oak trees. Among the anticipated and excellent sauvignon blancs, Brad Paton, winemaker since 2004, crafts some less usual styles: G, an oaked, dry gewurztraminer; 3rd Time Lucky, an occasional release of a wooded viognier and Restless, a rare Constantia pinot noir. Further proof of Constantia’s cool-climate red wine credentials comes from Christine, a cabernet-led blend with other Bordeaux varieties, which has just topped out the Cape Bordeaux style category on the Platter’s 2025 guide.
Groot Constantia cannot be left out of Constantia’s history. This is where van der Stel built his house; not the one visitors walk around today, as the original was altered and then all but gutted by fire, before being rebuilt on the foundations.
The wine cellar, built in the early 1790s, has a sculpture on the pediment depicting fertility, believed to have been the work of Anton Anreith; it is regarded as one of the most important sculptures in South Africa.
From the modern cellar, Daniel Keulder, who took over from long-time winemaker, Boela Gerber in 2023, produces the big five classic varieties as well as pinotage, but the wine most associated with the Constantia of old is Grand Constance, a natural sweet wine from muscat de Frontignan. Neighbour, Klein Constantia is celebrated for Vin de Constance, also a natural sweet wine from the same variety.
Between sauvignon blanc and natural sweet wine, Constantia can please the most demanding palate.
Angela Lloyd