Constantia Valley, as it is often referred to, is, unlike Franschhoek, not a true valley. Wineries and vineyards climb the mountain slopes on the west side but to the east and south, the view is unhindered across the suburbs to False Bay in the distance. Standing on any of those elevated vineyards, it’s easy to feel why the area is acknowledged as a cool climate gem, especially when the south easter is blowing as it does especially in summer. It also helps to keep the vines disease-free.

There’s little dispute which wine Constantia is best known for: sauvignon blanc. If nothing else, the area planted to the variety tells the story. Of Constantia’s 414.65 ha under vine, 186.29 ha is devoted to sauvignon. I can’t find any producer who doesn’t have a sauvignon, sometimes with a little semillon, in their range. Far from creating a monochrome palate of taste from the nine or ten producers, everyone has their own take, depending on altitude, exposure, the role of nature and consumer preferences.

If curiosity leads you to taste a wide a stylistic distinction, then Klein Constantia is the place to go. There are 40 blocks of sauvignon blanc on the farm; the highest sauvignon vineyard lies 304 metres above sea level, the lowest 122 metres; those in between cover varying aspects and exposures, as the vineyard map illustrates (www.kleinconstantia.com/about/the-estate/ explore our vineyards). 

The estate sauvignon blanc is a blend of many of those blocks, the goal being to express the Klein Constantia style, one with a greater expression of fruit, lively acidity and depth in its structure for ageing. The farm isn’t shy to release sauvignons with some age; the current Metis, a collaboration between Klein Constantia and Pascal Jolivet of Sancerre, is 2020, full-bodied and steely dry. Clara, a wooded sauvignon, is drawn from six top vineyards, each vinified separately, the final blend a selection of the best barrels. Rich in complex flavour and body, held by taut acidity, 2021 still has years ahead of it. Perdeblokke – horse block, because only a horse rather than tractors can manage the steep gradient – is from a single vineyard and only produced in exceptional vintages. Vinification in both tank, 80% and the balance in oak provides 2022 with both structure and herby, oystershell intensity. There are also occasional bottlings of other single blocks but above four are the regulars.

Constantia isn’t all about sauvignon blanc or white wines. Red wine also enhances the area’s reputation. Although some farms towards the southern end of the valley and on the lower slopes, successfully grow red varieties, both elevation and aspect mean the sun disappears behind the mountain early in the afternoon. Aspects at the northern reaches of the valley allow for much longer sunlight and warmth; here shiraz, merlot, petit verdot, malbec and cabernets sauvignon and franc do well. Eagles’ Nest has an established reputation for shiraz; Constantia Glen has made a name with its Constantia Glen Three - merlot with cabernets sauvignon and franc, and Constantia Glen Five - the two cabernets, merlot, petit verdot and malbec. Keeping to the Bordeaux theme, sauvignon-semillon blends from Steenberg in the south, via Constantia Uitsig, Groot Constantia, Constantia Royale, to Beau Constantia and Constantia Glen, offer quality and rewarding maturation potential. 
Many of the manor houses on these farms have their own interesting histories as well as their wines. Constantia is for much more than wine.

Angela Lloyd