Klein Constantia Estate
You visit Klein Constantia for wine made on decomposed granite slopes under a cool maritime breeze, a site chosen in 1685 for its potential. The estate was part of the original Constantia farm, divided in 1712, and now operates independently with its own vineyards and cellar. The historic Vin de Constance, a sweet wine once requested by Napoleon, was revived here in 1990.
The tasting room is open daily from ten to five, with bookings recommended on weekends. Groups larger than eight should arrange visits in advance. The cellar works with minimal intervention, using spontaneous fermentation where possible and light oak handling. Winemaker Matthew Day, the third since the estate's revival in the 1980s, focuses on restraint and longevity in the wines.
Klein Constantia lies in the Constantia Valley, twenty minutes by car from Cape Town city center. The entrance is at the end of Klein Constantia Road, with signs directing you in. Parking is provided for guests. The estate shares a history with Groot Constantia but now stands as its own operation, with wines that speak of this specific slope and climate.