WeeklySA_AdminBOTTLED HISTORY: From the resurrection of Vin de Constance to the rise of Pinotage and the reinvention of Chenin Blanc, a landmark Strauss & Co auction offers collectors a rare chance to own the bottles that tell the story of South African wine…
By Len Maseko
South Africa’s wine story is one of inheritance, innovation and reinvention.
That remarkable journey comes into sharp focus in Strauss & Co’s latest Heritage, Sweet Wines, Ports, Brandy & Spirits Timed Online Auction, a sale that reads less like a catalogue and more like a history book told through bottles.
Featuring some of the country’s most celebrated wines alongside iconic international counterparts, the auction offers collectors and wine enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the milestones that shaped South Africa into one of the world’s most distinctive wine-producing nations.
At the heart of the collection is Chenin Blanc, the grape that has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in modern South African wine.
Some wines are more than collectibles – they are liquid
archives of South Africa’s journey from colonial outpost to world-class wine nation…
Once regarded largely as a workhorse variety, Chenin has been elevated into a world-class fine wine category by pioneering producers such as Chris and Suzaan Alheit and Eben Sadie.
Among the standout lots are six consecutive vintages of Alheit Vineyards Cartology, a wine that has become synonymous with the modern Cape wine movement. Also featured is Sadie Family’s highly acclaimed Skurfberg 2019, sourced from an isolated vineyard planted more than 80 years ago and awarded a perfect 100 points by renowned critic Tim Atkin MW.
If Chenin Blanc tells the story of reinvention, Pinotage tells the story of invention itself.
Created in Stellenbosch in 1925 through the crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, Pinotage remains the only internationally recognised grape variety developed in South Africa.
The auction includes a remarkable collection of Kanonkop Pinotage vintages, stretching back to a recorked 1992 bottling and including the celebrated 1993 Cape Winemakers Guild release and the sought-after 2006 Black Label Pinotage.
Kanonkop’s role in establishing Pinotage as a serious fine wine category has been instrumental in changing perceptions of a grape once dismissed by critics. Today, Pinotage stands as one of South Africa’s most distinctive contributions to global wine culture.
Long before Pinotage or the Chenin renaissance captured international attention, however, there was Vin de Constance.
The legendary sweet wine of Constantia was once prized by European royalty, referenced by novelist Jane Austen and famously enjoyed by Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile on St Helena.
Yet after production ceased in the late 19th century, the wine disappeared for almost a century.
Its revival in 1986 remains one of the great success stories of modern wine history.
The auction features an extraordinary collection of Vin de Constance bottlings dating back to that inaugural vintage, highlighting the rebirth of a wine that once defined the Cape’s reputation abroad.
The sweet wine category is further represented by the innovative Mullineux Olerasay series, which draws inspiration from the solera traditions of Spain’s Jerez region while creating something distinctly South African.
The story continues in the fortified wine and brandy categories.
In Calitzdorp, often referred to as South Africa’s unofficial Port capital, generations of producers adapted Portuguese grape varieties and winemaking traditions to local conditions. Estates such as Boplaas and De Krans helped establish a uniquely South African fortified wine culture.
The auction includes an extensive collection of Ports from KWV, Monis and Boplaas, spanning nearly a century and preserving a chapter of wine history that played a central role in South African drinking culture for decades.
Equally significant is the brandy and spirits section, a reminder that distilled wines formed one of the foundations of the Cape wine economy long before consumers became captivated by old-vine Chenin Blancs and single-vineyard Syrahs.
Viewed together, the lots tell a compelling national story.
Chenin Blanc represents reinvention. Pinotage symbolises invention. Vin de Constance embodies resurrection. Port and brandy reflect adaptation.
Together they chart the evolution of South African wine from colonial beginnings to international acclaim, revealing how generations of growers, winemakers and visionaries forged a unique wine identity at the southern tip of Africa.
For collectors, the appeal may lie in rarity and provenance. For wine lovers, it is the chance to own a piece of history.
The Strauss & Co Heritage, Sweet Wines, Ports, Brandy & Spirits Timed Online Auction closes with one-minute extensions from 6pm on June 22, offering bidders a final opportunity to acquire bottles that helped build South Africa’s wine legacy.
EVENTS
Foodies Rally for Errieda
South Africa’s food and wine community is coming together for a special fundraising dinner in honour of celebrated cookbook author, television producer and food writer Errieda du Toit, who is currently facing serious health challenges.
The event will take place at Lanzerac Estate Hotel & Spa in Stellenbosch on June 24, with all proceeds from ticket sales going directly to support Du Toit and her family.
Presented by Onderstok Food Creative in association with Stellenbosch Wine Routes, the fundraiser has drawn an impressive line-up of leading Cape Winelands chefs, including Bertus Basson, Garth Bedford, Marthinus Ferreira, Shaun Scrooby, Michelle Theron and Stephen Fraser, all of whom have donated their time and expertise for the cause.
Hosted by media personality Martelize Brink, guests will enjoy a four-course family-style feast paired with Stellenbosch wines in an evening dedicated to celebrating Du Toit’s immense contribution to South African food culture.
For decades, Du Toit has inspired audiences through her work on RSG, the popular television series Kokkedoor, and several bestselling cookbooks. Organisers say the event is both a tribute to her legacy and an opportunity for the community she helped build to give back during a difficult time.
Tickets cost R1 250 per person and include dinner and wine.
Dad, beer & Winelands
@Franschhoek Hotel, where rolling vineyards blend with mountain views, beckons this week for families seeking to escape the city for wine and craft beer to celebrate Dad in the Cape Winelands. Located just an hour from Cape Town, the hotel is currently offering special winter accommodation deals running until the end of August, encouraging guests to turn a day trip into a relaxing weekend getaway. Adding to the appeal is Hey Joe Brewery, the hotel’s Belgian-inspired brewery and taproom, where visitors can enjoy guided tours, sample freshly brewed beers and unwind in a family-friendly environment while children enjoy the outdoor play area.
The brewery is steeped in local folklore. According to legend, Hey Joe was named after a mysterious Belgian brewer who settled in Franschhoek decades ago, perfecting his recipes in a secluded woodland cabin. His brewing secrets were later discovered and carried forward by a young traveller, inspiring the brewery that stands today.
Whether it’s a cold pint, a brewery tour or a weekend in the Winelands, @Franschhoek Hotel offers a memorable way to raise a glass to Dad this Father’s Day.
Uitsig Wine Festival
Wine enthusiasts are in for a treat when the Uitsig Wine Fest 2026 uncorks an afternoon of fine wines, food and entertainment at Uitsig Boutique Hotel in Welkom in the Free State on June 27.
The popular festival will bring together more than 17 wine estates from across South Africa, offering visitors the chance to sample a wide range of wines in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Running from noon, the event promises an enjoyable winter outing for both seasoned wine lovers and casual enthusiasts.
Guests can expect live performances by local artists, a variety of food stalls and a family-friendly atmosphere set against the backdrop of the boutique hotel’s picturesque grounds. While wine tasting takes centre stage, organisers have ensured there is plenty to keep non-drinkers and younger family members entertained.
Adult tickets cost R300 and include a complimentary tasting glass as well as unlimited wine tastings between 12pm and 3pm. Tickets available through Quicket, as demand is expected to be high.. – Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news
