Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Vineyard forged in fire
Rising from burnt landscape, Glen experiences taste of success
THE FAMOUS words of John D Rockefeller, “I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity”, can aptly be used to describe the beginning of Constantia Glen wine estate.
Constantia Glen winemaker Justin van Wyk says the wildfires of December 1999, which destroyed much of the natural vegetation and forest on the estate, amount to the genesis of vineyard-planting on the estate between 2000 and 2002.
The wine estate on the upper reaches of Constantiaberg offers wine-tasting experiences in a region located 20 minutes from the city centre.
It is in this setting where Van Wyk creates the signature Constantia Glen wines, each with its unique character.
Originally from the Karoo, this hands- on winemaker loves seeing positive results and reaping the rewards of a successful harvest. His winemaking philosophy is to keep things simple and allow the grapes to do the work.
Van Wyk says with 29 hectares under vines, the estate prides itself on cultivating the vineyards sustainably and without any supplementary irrigation.
The estate’s operating philosophy is to produce wines without compromising on quality, and to ensure that the wines reflect the unique conditions in which the vines grow. “In other words, that the wines have a sense of place,” says Van Wyk.
Constantia Glen’s long-term goal is to continue producing its wines sustainably and con- tinue improving its efforts, with the objective of producing some of South Africa’s “best Bordeaux-style reds and whites”.
He says in five years’ time “we will still be making wines in the same place with the same approach, but our vineyards will be five years older and the more mature our vineyards become, the more complex, textured and char- acterful our wines should be”.
Last year the estate introduced a new range of wines to the market called Van Wyk Family Wines. “It has worked very well. The first vintage produced has now completely sold (out), and the second vintage made by myself is available for tasting and purchase at the Constantia Glen tasting room.
“The reason for doing this new range was to expand the business to produce additional ultra-premium wines from purchased grapes without infringing on our estate brand. These wines are quite different in style and (we are) using more Rhone and Mediterranean varieties in order to complement and increase the range of offerings to customers that visit Constantia Glen.”
He says the estate’s greatest achievement is transforming the property from a burnt forest landscape in 1999 – that at the time employed five people – to a “magnificent vineyard, with the vines all planted in a space of three years from 2000 to 2002, a winery built in 2006 and a tasting room that opened in 2011; and ultimately the combination of our wine production and hospitality business today providing jobs for nearly 80 people”.