Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2017

Groot Constantia Estate, the oldest wine-producing farm in South Africa was established in 1685. The estate is situated on the Cape Peninsula overlooking False Bay. The vineyards are tucked in the steep valley on the eastern side of Table Mountain. Ninety hectares are under vines (70% red varietals and 30% white), lying 60m to 280m above sea level. Nine different soil types exist on the farm and careful planning ensured the selection of the best possible clones of chosen varietals, in harmony with the specific slopes and soil types.

The philosophy of Groot Constantia Estate is to ‘reflect everything about Groot Constantia in our wine – the character and expression of our terroir, as well as our three-century history’. The estate’s vinous heritage was spotlighted in dramatic fashion recently, when a bottle of the celebrated sweet wine, Grand Constance 1821, was sold at auction for an astonishing R967,300. In most years, nearly  450 000 people visit the estate, their palates comprehensively catered for in the ranges made by Boela Gerber and his eco-minded team.

The Grand Constance wine come from a block right next to the famous Manor House. The slope is south east facing and soils varying from red-brown loamy soil of granitic origin to duplex soil with coarse, sandy topsoil on partially decomposed granites. The estate has a Mediterranean climate with cool breezes from the Atlantic ocean and an average rainfall of 1100mm per annum.