Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate

On the sun-dappled slopes of the Constantia Valley, where the oldest winemaking tradition in the Southern Hemisphere took root more than three centuries ago, Constantia Uitsig stands as a living chapter in the story of South African wine. The estate's origins trace back to 1685, when Governor Simon van der Stel established Constantia as the Cape's first wine farm. What is now Constantia Uitsig was formally founded in 1894 as Constantia View, a name later changed to its Afrikaans equivalent in 1941.

For much of the twentieth century the estate slumbered, its vineyards neglected and its cellars silent. That changed in 1988 when David and Marlene McCay purchased the property and began replanting 17 hectares of vines across the cool, maritime-influenced slopes. The McCays nurtured the estate through decades of renewal, building a reputation not only for wine but for world-class dining -- La Colombe, one of South Africa's most celebrated restaurants, called Constantia Uitsig home for many years before relocating in 2014. The River Cafe, beloved for its leisurely breakfasts and garden setting, also became a Constantia institution during this era.

A transformative new chapter began when the estate was acquired by its current ownership group, who invested in a striking new winery -- a futuristic glass structure that opened in 2018, designed to marry art and science in every bottle. Head winemaker Daniel Keulder was appointed in 2020 to lead the cellar. A graduate of Stellenbosch University with a Master's degree in oenology focused on tannin chemistry, Daniel brings rigorous science and creative intuition to each vintage. His philosophy -- where art meets science -- is evident in wines that express the cool Constantia terroir with clarity and precision.

The 25-hectare estate sits at the heart of the Constantia Valley between the Constantiaberg mountains and False Bay, benefiting from afternoon sea breezes that moderate summer temperatures and extend the growing season. These conditions are ideal for the estate's focus on white varieties -- Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, and Chenin Blanc -- alongside red plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. The flagship Constantia Red is a cool-climate blend that showcases the valley's potential for structured, age-worthy reds, while the Chardonnay Reserve and barrel-fermented Semillon demonstrate the depth achievable in this maritime terroir.

Today, Constantia Uitsig is far more than a winery. The estate has evolved into a lifestyle destination with two on-site restaurants -- La Grotto Ristorante, an authentic Italian restaurant featuring hand-made pizzas and pastas paired exclusively with estate wines, and Blockhouse Kitchen, a relaxed all-day dining venue focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The estate also features a wine shop, heritage market, and a bike park, making it one of the most family-friendly wine farms in the Constantia Valley.

The Tasting Room offers several curated experiences. The standard tasting of four wines at R135 per person is an accessible introduction to the range, while the Terroir Tasting at R175 per person explores the estate's diverse blocks and soil types. A focused Chardonnay tasting of three wines is available at R120 per person. The wines themselves represent remarkable value for the Constantia appellation, with the Sauvignon Blanc, Natura Vista white blend, and Ex Oppido unwooded Chardonnay all priced well under R200 per bottle, and even the top-tier Constantia Red and Chardonnay Reserve remaining accessible at under R400 per bottle.