Constantia Wine Route and Cape Point Vineyards

Constantia Wine Route and Cape Point Vineyards

The Constantia Wine Route is steeped in history and is arguably one of the most beautiful and accessible wine regions in the world. Within a short distance from Cape Town it invites you to breathtaking views of ocean, mountains and vineyards, great wine and delectable restaurants. Due to its varied terroir, white wines are dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. Red wine is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot , Syrah(Shiraz), Pinotage, Pinot Noir. Bordeaux style blends are very popular as well. Constantia was well known for desert wines for centuries, most notably for the Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia. Visiting the Constantia Wine Route, make sure you leave enough time, to enjoy the views and visit one of the many well known restaurants.

Route:

From Cape Town take the N2 towards the airport, follow the M3 South towards Muizenberg. Passing the University of Cape Town follow the signs to the Rhodes memorial. Stop at Rhodes memorial for sunrise photographs. Continue South on the M3 towards Muizenberg passing Newlands forest. Take the M63 Rhodes Drive towards Hout Bay. Turn off towards the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Here you can spend an hour or two admiring the Cape Floral kingdom’s diversity and several species from the rest of Southern Africa with the backdrop of Table Mountain.
Continue along the M63, towards Hout Bay and enjoy the scenic forest drive. At the small circle on top of Constantia Neck, Silvermist Organic wine estate is a slight right towards Hout Bay, or follow the M41 towards Constantia. Here we start the Constantia wine route, with directly on the circle, the entrance to Beau Constantia. Further down the forested drive, the vineyards of Eagles Nest and Constantia Glen, followed by the centuries famous Groot Constantia. Following the M41 downhill, turn right on the M39 through the leafy Greylands and right again onto the M42 Spaanschemat River Road. Sign boards will guide you to Buitenverwachting, Klein Constantia or follow the M42 to Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg. The route carries on past Steenberg and over Silver mine on the M64 the Ou Kaapseweg route. Turn towards Noordhoek M6 and onto Cape Point Vineyards Estate. Return to Cape Town along the M6 – Chapmans peak drive for sunset. This route takes you past Hout Bay, Llandudno and Camps Bay, one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Reasons to visit:

The terroir and elevation differences of this wine region differs within a few hundred metres, from vineyard to vineyard. The drive is scenically beautiful, filled with historical charm and unique views.
The oldest continuous vineyards in South Africa. The historical wine of Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia(Vin de Constance – enjoyed by Napoleon Bonaparte)

Best time to visit:

This region is beautiful year round. Stronger winds, but sunny days can be expected in the summer months, unique flowers in spring, colourful autumn and rainy and crisper days in winter. All seasons, however have their own unique charms.

On route:

• Historical charming wine estates and restaurants,
• University of Cape Town,
• Chapman’s Peak coastal drive,
• Newlands, Cecilia and Tokai forest along Rhodes drive,
• Back slopes of Table mountain,
• Silvermine reserve,
• Table Mountain National Park

Vineyards

• Beau Constantia,
• Buitenverwachting,
• Constantia Glen,
• Constantia Uitsig,
• Eagle’s Nest,
• Groot Constantia,
• Klein Constantia,
• Silvermist,
• Steenberg,
• Constantia Royale

Highlights on the route:

• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens,
• Groot Constantia,
• Table Mountain National Park,
• Chapman’s Peak coastal Drive

Things to do or see:

Outdoors:

• Horse riding on Noordhoek beach,
• Tokai and die Hel Forest walks,
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
• Sunrise and sunset views.

Side-tracks:

Several craft markets on weekends

South African home grown:

The vineyards in this region have fine examples,\ of the Cape Dutch style architecture, as manor houses and cellar buildings.