Steeped in history, Groot Constantia wine estate is the oldest continuously wine producing estate in South Africa. Fine wines and splendid scenery blend together, for a great visit.
Steeped in history, Groot Constantia wine estate is the oldest continuously wine producing estate in South Africa. Fine wines and splendid scenery blend together, for a great visit.
A little history of Groot Constantia
The farm Groot Constantia was granted to Simon van der Stel in 1685, the VOC Governor of the Cape of Good Hope at the time.
Producing vegetables, fruit and wines and also grazing cattle, Simon van der Stel also built the homestead. After his death the farm was broken up into three smaller portions Groot Constantia; Klein Constantia; and Bergvliet.
In 1779 the portion of the estate including Van der Stel’s Cape Dutch-style manor house was sold to the Cloete family, who planted extensive vineyards and extended and improved the mansion by commissioning the architect Louis Michel Thibault. The wine cellar was added by Cloete in 1791. The house remained in the possession of the Cloete family until 1885.
In 1885 Groot Constantia was purchased by the government of the Cape of Good Hope and was used as an experimental wine and agricultural estate. Following a disastrous fire in 1925 the house was extensively restored. Since 1993, Groot Constantia Wine Estate has been run in trust, as a non-profit company.
Groot Constantia at a glance
Wines of note
Grand Constance
Gouverneurs Reserve Red – Bordeaux style red blend
Gouverneurs Reserve White
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cape Ruby – a Port style Red wine
Chardonnay
Constantia Rood
Grand Constance
Lady of Abundance
Merlot
Méthode Cap Classique Brut Rosé – Sparkling Rosé
Pinotage
Rosé
VSOP – Cape Brandy
Winemaker
Boela Gerber assisted by Louise van der Westhuizen
Viticulturist
Floriscus Beukes
Reasons to visit
Grand Constance – a fine example of the Constantia valley dessert wines, as favoured by emperors, kings and other world famous personalities over the centuries
Exceptional red and white wines, Cape ruby and brandy
Steeped in history, this estate was chosen for it’s fruitful soil with exceptional and peaceful views over mountains and ocean, with some of the best sunrises and sunsets in the Western Cape.
Walks and horse rides through the vineyards are allowed(do not pick the grapes!) and dogs are allowed on a leash.
Best time to visit
All year destination. Early morning and late afternoon, is the best photographic and walking times.
What to do at Groot Constantia wine estate
Highlights on the estate
Historic buildings
Exceptional restaurants
Museum and
Wine tasting of world renowned wines
Things to do or see
Wine tasting
Photography
Coach house museum
Manor house museum
Historic gardens
Cloete cellar
Simon’s restaurant
Jonkershuis restaurant
Children are welcome, with many ducks to feed, squirrels to chase and space to roam
For children
The estate has abundant space for children to play, as well as several tame ducks, squirrels and wild fowl.
Outdoors
Wander through the vines
Cycling
Side-tracks
Take time to walk through the vineyards, photograph and relax
South African home grown
Jonkershuis serves some of the finest authentic South African cuisine
Jacques has been a keen travel junkie, for as long as he can remember. Having spent his childhood in Namibia, Limpopo province in South Africa (near the Kruger National Park ) and KZN in South Africa and later Cape Town, always been surrounded by nature and beautiful scenery. Qualifying as a safari guide in 1996, Jacques guided over virtually all possible natural eco systems and travelled over hundreds of thousands of kilometers, through all the southern African countries. Later he spent 8 years living and working in Austria, mixing cultural, city and natural scenic travels all across Europe.
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