Ever tasted a wine so exquisite it felt like liquid sunshine? Constantia whispers tales of such nectar. Right here in this valley you stand on hallowed ground. Constantia is more than a suburb it’s a living legend.
This area boasts one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the Southern Hemisphere. It all started in 1685 when Governor Simon van der Stel established Groot Constantia. He named it for his wife Constance. He planted 70000 grapevines. He built a grand homestead a beautiful example of Cape Dutch architecture. This homestead now serves as a museum showcasing antique furniture.
Constantia’s history is rich and complex. It wasn’t always the affluent area you see today. For many years before the 1960s the area was largely rural. Hottentot Cape Malay San and Coloured residents lived here. They were farmers farm workers and fruit sellers. They lived in areas like Strawberry Lane. Then in 1961 Constantia was declared a White Group Area under the Group Areas Act. Many residents were forcibly removed. This is a dark chapter. A plaque remembers the Strawberry Lane community.
But Constantia’s story is also one of resilience and rebirth. The wines of Constantia once graced the tables of kings and emperors. Vin de Constance a sweet dessert wine was famous throughout Europe. Sadly a parasite attacked the vines. The original recipe for this wine has been lost. But the spirit of Constantia endures. Today you can still sample award-winning wines. Many wine farms offer tours and tastings.
Constantia is a place of contrasts. A history of forced removals exists alongside tales of opulent estates. There are impressive homesteads. They show off Baroque and Cape Dutch architectural styles. Famous residents such as Mark Thatcher and Charles Spencer the 9th Earl Spencer once called Constantia home.
The valley remains a place of natural beauty. The Constantiaberg mountain provides a stunning backdrop. Constantia Nek a low pass links the valley to Hout Bay. The valley itself is fertile and green. Streams flow through it. This makes it ideal for wine production and agriculture.
So raise a glass to Constantia. To its history its wines and its enduring spirit. To the legacy of those who have lived and worked here. It’s a story that continues to unfold. A story you are a part of today.