the first wine was made in south africa in 1659.
when was the first wine made in south africa?
1659
on 2 february 1659 the founder of cape town, jan van riebeeck, produced the first wine recorded in south africa. in 1685, the constantia estate was established in a valley facing false bay by the governor of the cape, simon van der stel. his 'vin de constance' soon acquired a good reputation. but it was hendrik cloete, who bought the homestead in 1778, who really made the name of constantia famous, with an unfortified wine made from a blend of mostly muscat de frontignan (muscat blanc à petits grains), pontiac, red and white muscadel (probably clones of muscat blanc à petits grains??) and a little chenin blanc. it became a favorite tipple of european kings and emperors, from frederick the great to napoleon. but the vineyards were decimated by phylloxera, the cloete family were bankrupted, and groot constantia was sold to the government as an experimental station. in 1980 duggie jooste bought klein constantia, redeveloped it, and is now selling a new version of vin de constance made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
western cape wine
the island has 30 wine growers and 12 wineries. the first vineyard was planted near eastern cove in 1976 and the first wine made in 1982. this was blended with tolleys barossa wine and sold from the cellar door of eastern cove wine as ki-barossa blend. the florance vineyard was established under supervision of b. hayes, who produced its first wine – eastern cove cygnet – and introduced it at the university of south australia in 1990. the wine carried a kangaroo island appellation label as first wine 100% of the region.





















































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kangaroo island