The Cradle of Mankind began in South Africa
The Cradle of South African wines began in the Constantia Valley.

Constantia Valley is truly Cape Town’s Vineyard - The oldest wine-making region in the southern hemisphere.

In 1679 the new Governor, Simon van der Stel, landed in the Cape of Good Hope. He was newly appointed by the Dutch East India Company and would, in time, become both popular and successful. The new Governor did not waste time and soon started looking for land that would be suitable for cultivation.

He had requested land from the Company on which to farm. There is evidence that he had some geological knowledge since he periodically sent out riders to collect soil samples. In 1685, he chose 891 Morgen (about 2461 ha), situated behind Table Mountain for its wine growing potential and magnificent scenery. He named his farm "Constantia".

Mother Nature smiled when she prepared the Constantia Valley for the winemaker. She bestowed on him the influence of the sun, wind, oceans and fertile soil, and then challenged him to plant vineyards and make excellent wines. To this the owners of Constantia have answered positively for a few centuries, and how could they not?

Constantia wine was coveted across the globe and those who were fortunate enough to taste it soon refused to settle for anything less. So little was produced and it was of such uncompromising quality that it was exclusively bought and consumed by the aristocracy of the world. In fact, some history books actually use the word “hoarded’! Members of the British Royal House, Napoleon Bonaparte, King Louis Philippe of France, Frederick (The Great) of Prussia, the Here Seventeen of the VOC, governors, admirals, captains and many other dignitaries coveted the Constantia label and treated their guests to it. After all, how many wines were immortalized in the writings of Jane Austen?

So, if you consider that we’ve been making wine for over 350 yrs from the very first vines planted in the Cape, in what can only be described as the perfect natural conditions and under the watchful supervision of the finest wine masters, it becomes clear why our wines have become legendary.