Constantia - South-Africa

The Legacy of Simon van der Stel

In 1679, Simon van der Stel was appointed by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to govern the Cape of Good Hope. After years of loyal service, he requested land from the Company. He regularly sent out riders to collect soil samples, and in 1685, he chose 891 morgen (approximately 763 hectares) behind Table Mountain due to its viticultural potential and stunning landscape.

Over the years, the wines produced on the estate captured the attention of influential people worldwide—clearly owing to their impressive quality. The global aristocracy ensured they maintained a sufficient supply of this highly acclaimed and precious product.

The founder named his farm "Constantia," after the Latin word for constancy or steadfastness. These were qualities he valued immensely, and today, we follow in his footsteps to uphold his enduring legacy of perfection at Groot Constantia.

Agricultural activities at Groot Constantia centered primarily around viticulture, and it didn't take long for Constantia wines to become famous throughout Europe. By 1709, the farm boasted 70,000 vines, and Van der Stel produced 5,630 liters of wine. Although the ownership of Groot Constantia changed several times over the years, the legacy of producing excellent wines has remained steadfast.

The legendary Groot Constantia Grand Constance is the oldest wine in South Africa and serves as the definitive example of the famous "Constantia Wyn" once savored by emperors and kings. Figures from Napoleon and Frederick the Great of Prussia to Louis Philippe (King of the French) all vied for their share of this prestigious nectar.

Its cultural legacy is just as impressive: Charles Dickens celebrated it in Edwin Drood; Jane Austen’s characters in Sense and Sensibility recommended it as a remedy for a broken heart to the heroine Marianne Dashwood; and Charles Baudelaire compared the wine to the lips of his beloved in his most famous collection of poems, Les Fleurs du Mal. Most famously, Napoleon was permitted to drink wine produced at Groot Constantia during his exile on the island of St. Helena from 1815 until his death in May 1821.

If you are in the area, it is definitely worth a visit. While the estate is incredibly large and commercially oriented—having a bit of an "American" feel in its scale—the natural beauty and the knowledge that you are standing in a true piece of South African history make it a must-see.