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Klein Constantia

Cape Town, Constantia
25 Reviews
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About this Winery

Frequently described as one of the world’s most beautiful vineyard locations, Klein Constantia is located just 20 kilometres from Cape Town’s city centre, with superb views across the historic Constantia valley and over False Bay. The 146-hectare estate originally formed part of Constantia, the vast property established in 1685 by the first governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, who chose the valley not only for its beauty, but also for its decomposed granite soils on slopes gently cooled by ocean breezes. Within a remarkably short period of time, the lusciously sweet wines of Constantia were famous –savoured by royalty, given pride of place in the cellars of the world’s greatest wine collectors, immortalised by the best poets and authors of the 18th and 19th centuries including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Baudelaire. Alas, this 'vin de Constance' was almost lost to the wine world forever owing to the arrival of phylloxera in the Cape in the late 1800’s. It was not until Duggie Jooste bought the farm in 1980 that the recreation of this great wine occurred and over the past thirty years not only has one of the world’s greatest dessert wines been revived; it has also been joined by a range of award-winning dry wines – all made possible by the ideal growing conditions identified by Van der Stel almost 330 years ago. This unique combination of location and heritage is what convinced Czech-American businessmen, investor and philanthropist, Zdenĕk Bakala and UK-based CEO of the BXR Group, Charles Harman to purchase the estate from the Jooste family in May 2011. “We are privileged to be custodians of one of the most historic properties in the Cape, and regard the preservation of this heritage as a serious responsibility.” Follow us on Twitter: @kleinconstantia Cellar hours: Monday to Friday: 10am to 5pm. Saturdays (summer): 10am to 5pm. Saturdays (winter): 10am to 4.30pm. Sundays (summer): 10am to 4pm. Sundays (winter): CLOSED. Open on select Public Holidays.

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  1. Jolandi Jv Vuuren

    Casual Winefly

    A great start to our wine tour. Very professional customer service. Lovely, matured wines.

    April 21, 2013 at 17:03
  2. Wesley Cogill

    Casual Winefly

    beautiful tasting room. just dissapointed by the quantity of wine poured. i could hardly see what was in my glass

    August 13, 2012 at 21:57
  3. Christine Andrews

    Casual Winefly

    My experience here wasn’t the best because it was really busy when I went there, with only two people serving. My favourite wine was the Vinde Constance (R370 a bottle). You can view my review on read external review

    March 15, 2012 at 11:54
  4. Lisa Harlow

    Casual Winefly

    VDC the highlight but tasting was not that informatative and felt as though they thought their wines were the best in the valley

    November 2, 2011 at 22:55
  5. Doug Hoernle

    Casual Winefly

    Adam Masons wines are always a treat! Never anything wrong with a glass of VDC after a long day.. Their Cab Sauv 2008 is one of my favorite wines!

    October 3, 2011 at 21:06
  6. Tom Magara

    Explorer Winefly

    KC is home to me! I judge all wine farm experiences and the wines themselves against here. Each person I’ve interacted with at the farm has been exceptional (Janine, Allan, Rose, Matt and the reverend Adam to name but a few). They let me do a lot there, including helping making the wine: Consider a case of the 2010 VDC already sold with replaced labels of my self portrait. Keep up the great work.

    July 4, 2011 at 01:08
  7. Vanessa Clark

    Noobie Winefly

    A visit to one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa is well worth it. More unassuming than many other wine farms, it’s all about the wine here, and situated higher up makes the area feel like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle – a tranquil island of wine, squirrels and the odd Jack Russell. The Sauvignons are delicious and both the white and red Bordeaux blends are worth another taste. If the Riesling is available for tasting, grab your chance as not a lot is made and it flies off the shelves. (The next batch is expected in winter 2011). The wonderfully balanced Vin de Constance needs no introduction, and have a sip or two of the new grappa. If winemaker Adam Mason is around, have a chat, he is passionate about what they are doing and you’re bound to have a fascinating conversation.

    April 8, 2011 at 07:48
  8. Ingrid Biesheuvel

    Casual Winefly

    Haven’t been in a while, but wow. Lovely wines. Really enjoyed Mme Marlbrook white blend – very very yum.
    And that Cab Sauv was just knee-weakeningly good – I can’t WAIT to try it with something wild and mushroomy.
    Friendly staff 🙂
    Just wish there was a smidgen more of a view of the lovely gardens around the tasting room… Those stunning cork trees… just want to hug them.

    January 16, 2011 at 19:33
  9. Gavin Withers

    Casual Winefly

    I love the drive up to this beautiful estate. Heather and I went there last week on Friday afternoon. I was very impressed with the Vin De Constance. It is a wine steeped in history. The lady who helped us with the tasting was very knowledgable. She made the experience very interesting.

    October 12, 2010 at 20:48
  10. Claude Studer

    Noobie Winefly

    Great Sav blanc and ofcourse that small wonder in a bottle vin de constance. Pitty their is no museum to honor this wine the way it should be. Every living South African should know the story.

    August 17, 2010 at 15:40
  11. Jacques Weidemann

    Trailblazer Winefly

    If they continued to market the Vin De Constance like they should have been, then our country may have been thought of a lot differently in the wine world than we are….

    July 22, 2010 at 19:57
  12. Mark Pryce

    Deputy Winefly

    One of my favourites Sav Blanc’s. Good service and nice setting

    July 12, 2010 at 12:31
  13. Michael Olivier

    Noobie Winefly

    @Jan Langenhoven – Jan – The wonderful thing is that the Joostes of Klein Constantia always gave Ross great credit for his part in the recreation of Vin de Constance while he was with us. Ross knew what an important role he played there.

    May 29, 2010 at 10:09
  14. Jan Langenhoven

    FireFly

    Hope they will give Ross more acknowledgment for the Vin de Constance now.

    May 22, 2010 at 14:39
  15. Maggie Mostert

    FireFly

    Friendly service and friendlier farm dogs. The Vin de Constance is exceptional.

    May 16, 2010 at 20:49
  16. David Read

    Casual Winefly

    Probably the best tasting experience to be had on the Constantia route… The tasting area is immaculate with an old fasioned cellar feeling. Tastings are free. The staff are friendly, professional and informative and all of the wines are top class. If your budget will allow, a bottle of the Vin de Constance is a must.

    April 17, 2010 at 08:54
  17. Hennie Coetzee

    FireFly

    Exceptional wines coupled with a friendly tasting experience makes the farm worth the visit. Do not miss the Vin de Constance – centuries of history in a bottle. Of course excellent Sauvignon Blanc as well, being a Constantia farm. Looking forward to a new release of their Riesling.

    March 17, 2010 at 20:51
  18. Mariana Engelbrecht

    Casual Winefly

    The tasting at Klein Constantia is like a well rounded and exceptional 5 course dinner. Every wine holding its own, and finishing it off with the cherry on top – Vin de Constance. You cannot argue with hundreds of drinkers through hundreds of years! Still exceptional…

    January 16, 2010 at 10:26
  19. Cathy Williams

    Casual Winefly

    visited you guys again on the weekend! Great wines, warm welcome…

    January 4, 2010 at 10:07
  20. Jaco Swanepoel

    Casual Winefly

    Fabulous tour of the cellar like to get my hands on those private wines, the Grand Lady of Constantia.

    June 22, 2009 at 15:00
  21. Anel Grobler

    Lord of the Flies

    The first visit. The second visit. The third visit. Will I ever grow tiered of this place? With absolutely fabulous scenery and damn good wine, it`s difficult to beat them.

    On my first visit I fell in love with the wine and the price. They weren’t cheap, but compared to their neighbours, they had the best wine and the best prices. On my second visit I had the opportunity to taste some of their pre-released Klein Constantia Marlbrook 2006. This of cause gave me an excuse to revisit them! On my third visit, I bought a bottle of the Marlbrook…and a few others.

    A stunning tasting room, friendly staff and damn good wine. They deserve the position on my Top 5 list and if they don’t grow tiered of me, I won’t grow tiered of them.

    April 25, 2009 at 14:29
  22. Anel Grobler

    Lord of the Flies

    Well done Klein Constantia!

    Seem’s as if you guys are the favourite at the moment! Keep it up!

    January 6, 2009 at 13:51
  23. Philip Rayner

    Explorer Winefly

    It is always a pleasure revisiting KC – the welcome is warm and the setting glorious. Special recommendation – go for the Riesling NLH whilst stocks last – expensive but gorgeous!

    January 3, 2009 at 19:47
  24. Jan van der Tap

    Explorer Winefly

    Great service and lovely wines

    July 27, 2008 at 13:51
  25. Mr wine

    Explorer Winefly

    lovely setting

    July 24, 2008 at 22:00
  26. Anel Grobler

    Lord of the Flies

    It might be “klein” but it`s Groot on wine!

    July 20, 2008 at 12:54
+27 (21) 794-5188
www.kleinconstantia.com
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Opening Hours Closed

Monday 10:00 – 17:00

Tuesday 10:00 – 17:00

Wednesday 10:00 – 17:00

Thursday 10:00 – 17:00

Friday 10:00 – 17:00

Saturday 10:00 – 16:30

Sunday 10:00 – 16:00

What You Can Find Here

ChardonnayMCCMerlotMuscat de FrontignanPinot NoirRestaurantRieslingSauvignon BlancWine Tasting

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