Our estate was originally part of Simon van der Stel’s vast Constantia estate, granted in 1685. It then formed part of Groot Constantia until 1823, when the land was divided between the brothers Jacob Pieter and Johan Gerhard Cloete. The latter took ownership of the upper reaches, situated on the eastern slopes and foothills of the Constantiaberg, where there were already over 33,000 vines planted. He named this magnificent piece of land Klein Constantia.

Facing mostly south to east, and reaching up from 70 to 343 metres above sea level, our higher slopes are some of the coldest in the Cape, thanks to fewer sunlight hours and a constant breeze off the ocean, just 10 kilometres away.

Cooler temperatures result in an increase in concentration and flavour while preserving the acidity and pH of our white varieties, most especially Sauvignon Blanc. They also create the ideal growing conditions for Muscat de Frontignan, used to make our natural sweet dessert wine, Vin de Constance. As the berries are able to ripen fully before raisining begins, they are able to produce raisined fruit with remarkable intensity of flavour as well as natural acidity.

Our soils originate from granite formed up to 600 million years ago and can be divided mainly between deep fertile Oakleaf on the lower slopes and drier Glenrosa with a saprolite subsoil higher up. This well-drained, fertile, decomposed granite with high clay content ensures good water retention during the long, dry summers of the Cape, when enough water slowly drains back into the vineyards to ensure an effective leaf canopy and proper ripening of the fruit.

The unique location, climate and soils of our estate call for the making of terroir-driven wines, and it is to this principle that we are deeply committed. Simple winemaking techniques are used to extract the best from grapes grown in expertly nurtured vineyards to make consistently excellent wines that express elegance, minerality and balance.