As the oldest wine-producing region in the southern hemisphere, Constantia's uninterrupted history of wine-making extends over 300 years. The history of Constantia goes back to 1685, when Simon van der Stel named his property after the daughter of the benefactor who gave him a farm under a picturesque mountain range. The lush surroundings and temperate temperatures predicted well for agriculture and Van der Stel set to work with planting orchards and vineyards - of which our estate was a part. Constantia Uitsig is now one of a select number of wine domains that together form the Constantia Valley Wine Route. Constantia Uitsig has a long and rich cultural heritage. They are enormously committed to the greenest building and agricultural practices, with which they hope to create a space that is both beautiful and varied. As can be seen on their labels, they are working to become a refuge for not only native flora, but also for native birds.

The chardonnay for the Constantia Uitsig Unwooded (unoaked) Chardonnay are harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning to ensure cool, crunchy fruit. The fermentation is done stainless steel (temperature controlled) and at a very low temperature. The wine continues to mature on its yeasts for around 8 months, which makes this unwooded chardonnay especially very elegant and full of fresh fruit. In the nose an abundance of green melon, juicy red apples and lemon zest. A yeast-like texture in combination with a lively, concentrated palate of apple, fresh mandarin and more complexity, which leads to an extraordinarily long finish. Simply a blissful and very handsome, sophisticated South African Chardonnay.