In the early 1700s, Dutch settlers at the Cape of Good Hope established the Constantia wine estate, renowned for producing some of the world's finest sweet wines. This development marked the beginning of South Africa's wine industry, which would grow to become a significant part of the country's economy and cultural heritage. The Constantia wines gained international acclaim, influencing wine production and trade in the region.

The establishment of South African Constantia wine in 1700 was praised by European poets and writers, including Jane Austen and Charles Baudelaire. This exotic luxury became a symbol of refinement and indulgence, often featured in their literary works as a metaphor for social status and cultural sophistication.