Constantia Glen launched a coffee table book spanning more than 140 years, last week.
Entering the farm from Constantia Main Road,passing sheep, hadedas and verdant vineyards, it is hard to believe that this sloping land overlooking the
valley was once covered in
pines.
Constantia Glen has been under the custodianship of the Waibel family, a textile dynasty from Dornbirn, Austria, since the late 1950s – first as rolling forest, then an Angus stud before returning to its historic wine farming roots.
At the launch of Constantia Glen – A timeless vision, third-generation custodian of Constantia Glen, Alexander Waibel, said the 60 hectares of undulating landscape had been a pine forest when the family had bought it.
The restaurant where the launch took place was a ruin, the walls only waist high.
It was renovated to a wine tasting area and restaurant, initially with 35 seats, now for 300.
The first vines were planted
in 2000 with the first vintage of sauvignon blanc harvested in
2005.
Today the farm is internationally known for its Bordeaux-style wines under winemaker Justin van Wyk.
The idea of producing a book to celebrate the life and times of the estate and some of the people behind its turbulent early history and eventual transformation was that of Stephanie Waibel.
The story has been researched and written by author Clare O’Donoghue, of Sea Point, with photography by Craig Fraser, of Newlands, It is published by Quivertree under Libby Doyle, also of Newlands.
