South African Legend Klein Constantia: From Napoleon’s Final Wine to Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko welcomes Matt Day, Head Winemaker at Klein Constantia, for a deep dive into one of South Africa’s most historic and forward-thinking wine estates. From reviving the legendary Vin de Constance, a wine once sipped by Napoleon, to pioneering terroir-driven Sauvignon Blancs in the Cape’s cool-climate vineyards, Matt shares his journey and winemaking philosophy in rich detail.

Listeners will also hear about South Africa’s evolving wine landscape, how Klein Constantia balances centuries of legacy with biodynamic practices and forward-thinking viticulture, and why Sauvignon Blanc deserves more serious attention. Plus, Matt explains how a single magnum of homemade Syrah helped him land the job of a lifetime.

Topics Covered:

• The legacy and revival of Vin de Constance, one of the world’s great historic sweet wines
• Matt Day’s early journey and how he became Head Winemaker at just 26
• The global influences shaping Klein Constantia’s Sauvignon Blanc program
• Why the estate grows 65% Sauvignon Blanc and produces multiple terroir-driven bottlings
• How Klein Constantia integrates organic, biodynamic, and precision farming
• The role of predators, pests, and even tourists in vineyard management
• The estate’s 340-year anniversary and what’s next for South African fine wine

Book Referenced: The Wines of South Africa by Jim Clarke - https://amzn.to/40zFEmu

Link to Klein Constantia Website: https://www.kleinconstantia.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Vent Wine Podcast
01:06 Exploring South African Wine Regions
04:27 Most Expensive Sauvignon Blanc
10:09 Interview with Matt Day Begins
10:54 Matt Day's Journey in Winemaking
16:46 The Legacy of Klein Constantia
22:31 Sustainability and Innovation at Klein Constantia
27:14 Focus on Sauvignon Blanc
30:41 Exploring Soil Types and Their Impact on Wine
31:16 Innovative Winemaking Techniques
32:32 Understanding Vineyard Blocks and Harvesting
34:24 The Art of Single Vineyard Wines
36:18 The Unique Vanda Constance Wine
44:54 Challenges and Innovations in Winemaking
53:43 Celebrating 340 Years of Winemaking
55:20 Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!