LONDON — One of South Africa’s most storied wine estates, Klein Constantia, is marking its 340th anniversary with a landmark release: the long-awaited 2010 vintage of its flagship sweet wine, Vin de Constance. The estate, which dates back to 1685 and ranks among the foundational pillars of South African viticulture, is using the occasion not only to honor its illustrious past but also to signal a bold new direction for the future.
Celebrated for producing one of the world’s finest sweet wines, Vin de Constance has historically captivated figures from Napoleon Bonaparte to Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Now, winemaker Matt Day hopes to elevate its status even further.
“My goal is to make the greatest sweet wine in the world,” Day said during the unveiling event at Saison by Mauro Colagreco in London. “But the focus must remain forward-looking. We are at a turning point—the next 340 years are what truly matter.”
A Wine Fifteen Years in the Making
The centrepiece of this celebration is the release of the 2010 Vin de Constance—a vintage that nearly never came to be. That year, adverse weather conditions led the estate to harvest only 10% of its usual yield, and no wine was officially released. However, seven barrels of Muscat de Frontignan were left aging in the cellar, quietly maturing over 15 years—far beyond the traditional 3-5 years in barrel.
The result is a rare and extraordinary expression of Vin de Constance, richer and more opulent in character. Only 4,500 bottles have been produced, with the UK—Vin de Constance’s leading export market—receiving 970. The wine, packaged with a distinctive black label, will be sold outside the traditional La Place de Bordeaux system at a premium retail price of £140 per 50cl bottle.
“This is the first time the 2010 vintage has been released,” Day explained. “It shows a completely new facet of what Vin de Constance can be.”
Vintage Vertical Tasting Highlights Terroir’s Impact
The 2010 was tasted alongside the 2009 and 2011 vintages, offering a unique vertical insight into the wine’s evolution. The 2009 displayed bright peach and marmalade notes, while the 2011 had deeper tones of mocha and toffee. In contrast, the 2010 stood out for its clarity and complexity—russet gold in colour, with lifted Muscat aromatics and nuanced spice notes of nutmeg and sandalwood. On the palate, it was fresh and concentrated, balancing sweetness with fine acidity.
Of the three vintages, the 2010 demonstrated a refined purity and structure that set it apart. “It goes to 11,” one taster remarked, echoing a famous line from Spinal Tap—a nod to the wine’s extraordinary intensity.
Pioneering Sauvignon Blanc and Sustainable Practices
Beyond Vin de Constance, Day is also spearheading the estate’s focus on Sauvignon Blanc, which comprises the majority of Klein Constantia’s plantings. “I want to push the boundaries—to make Sauvignon Blanc that is food-worthy, age-worthy, and a rock star wine,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from his time under Pascal Jolivet in Sancerre, Day places a premium on terroir, vinifying grapes from six separate vineyard parcels. The 2021 Clara Sauvignon Blanc, paired with sea bream ceviche at the event, demonstrated the elegance of this approach: precise, mineral-driven, and expressive, with hints of mandarin and oyster shell.
In addition to his work at Klein Constantia, Day also leads winemaking at Anwilka Vineyards, a Helderberg-based estate producing Bordeaux-style blends. At the luncheon, the Anwilka 2020—a 60/40 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah—was served alongside 32-day aged Hereford beef. The wine showed polish and structure, with vibrant fruit and tension offering balance and finesse.
Looking Ahead
While Klein Constantia’s legacy continues to be a powerful asset, the estate is firmly focused on the future. Day emphasized a shift toward sustainable viticulture and improved visitor experiences as key priorities.
“It’s a lifestyle, not a job,” Day said of his role. With the release of the exceptional 2010 Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia has not only honored its storied past, but also firmly set the stage for its next chapter.
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