Attraction
Table Mountain
Cape Town's flat-topped mountain rises above the city, reached by a cableway with rotating cars from Tafelberg Road or on foot via routes such as Platteklip…
Groot Constantia
Founded in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, Groot Constantia is South Africa's oldest wine estate, with tastings, cellar tours and a Cape Dutch manor house museum.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic wine estate
- Area
- Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa
- Official site
- grootconstantia.co.za
Good to know
- Wine tasting
- Cellar tours
- Manor House museum
- Restaurants
Why we recommend it
Groot Constantia was granted to Simon van der Stel, the Dutch East India Company's commander and later governor at the Cape, in 1685, and it is the oldest wine-producing estate in South Africa. After his death the land was divided, and in 1779 the Cloete family bought the Groot Constantia portion, planted vineyards and added a wine cellar in 1791. The estate became famous across Europe for its sweet Constantia wine.
The gabled Cape Dutch manor house is the centrepiece. It was rebuilt in its original style after a fire in 1925 and later became part of the South African Cultural History Museum, with period furniture and displays on the estate's past. The orientation centre explains the history of the estate and the valley, and the old cellar buildings can be visited on a tour.
Wine is the main reason most people come. There are two tasting venues, and cellar tours run through the day. The estate revived its historic dessert wine in 2003 under the name Grand Constance, and it also makes a range of red and white wines from vineyards that sit beneath the slopes of the Constantiaberg. Restaurants on the estate, including the Jonkershuis, serve lunch with vineyard views.
The estate opens every day of the year except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Tasting room and cellar tour times vary by venue, with the bottom cellar opening earlier than the top cellar, so check the website before you go. Allow two to three hours for a tasting, a walk through the manor house and lunch. Arrange a designated driver or join a tour if you plan to taste.
Groot Constantia is about 20 to 30 minutes' drive from the city centre, in the green Constantia valley on the eastern side of the Table Mountain range. It combines well with Kirstenbosch, a short drive away, and with other Constantia wine farms. The grounds are spacious and suit families, couples and groups. The lawns and old trees around the manor house make it a pleasant place for a stroll even without tasting, and spring and early autumn are good times to visit, when the weather is mild and the vineyards are green or turning colour.
Groot Constantia FAQs
When was Groot Constantia founded?
In 1685, when the land was granted to Simon van der Stel.
Is it open every day?
It opens every day of the year except Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Can I do a cellar tour?
Yes. Cellar tours run during the day; check the website for times.
What is Grand Constance?
The estate's revived historic dessert wine, produced again since 2003.
Is there a museum?
Yes. The Cape Dutch manor house is a museum, and there is an orientation centre.
Are there restaurants?
Yes, including the Jonkershuis.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours for a tasting, the manor house and a meal.
What is nearby?
Kirstenbosch and other Constantia wine farms are a short drive away.