Constantia is the home of South Africa’s wines. In fact, the wine route in Constantia Valley is one of the most renowned in the world, with all the farms therein consistently walking away with top international awards, pipping even illustrious French vineyards.
Constantia Valley extends from Wynberg hill to the Silvermine Mountains and consists of seven wine farms, five of which have histories that date back centuries and two new kids on the block. Another new kid on Cape Town’s wine scene is the Cape Point Wine Route, with vineyards at Scarborough and Noordhoek.
All of the wine farms offer wine tasting, although some of them are by appointment only.
Buitenverwachting Wine Farm was originally part of the Constantia Estate founded by Simon van der Stel in 1685. It’s changed hands a number of times but its 90,000-odd vines have ensured that no matter who the owner, the wines produced are out of this world. In addition to the wine farm, Buitenverwachting, which translates as “Beyond Expectation”, boasts an award-winning restaurant – Buitenverwachting Restaurant – and a less formal garden restaurant called The Courtyard.
You’ll find Buitenverwachting on Klein Constantia Road, Constantia. Call 021 794 5190, email info@buitenverwachting.com or visit www.buitenverwachting.co.za for more details.
Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate occupies 30 hectares in Constantia Valley. It specialises in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Bordeaux White Blend, and Bordeaux Red Blend, all of which consistently win awards and achieve top rankings in local and international wine guides. Constantia Uitsig (Constantia View) also consists of the Constantia Uitsig Country Hotel, three award- winning restaurants, The Wine Shop and a Spa. The hotel is small and intimate and luxurious, while La Colombe was voted the 28th Best Restaurant in the World in 2006 by UK Restaurant Magazine.
You’ll find Constantia Uitsig on Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia. Call 021 794 6500 or visit www.constantia-uitsig.com for more details.
Eagles Nest Wines was also originally part of Groot Constantia which was established by Simon van der Stel. It specialises in red wines, namely a Shiraz and a Merlot, as well as single cultivar white Viognier. Wine tasting is by appointment only.
You’ll find Eagles Nest Wines on Old Constantia Main Road, Constantia. Call o21 683 0487, email info@eaglesnestwines.com or visit www.eaglesnestwines.com for more information.
Groot Constantia Estate is the oldest wine producing farm in South Africa. It is owned by Groot Constantia Trust, which is dedicated to preserving the estate for posterity and to continue to produce excellent wines. Groot Constantia produces red and white wines, which consistently win top honours. The estate includes a museum at the Manor House, Simon’s Restaurant, Jonkershuis Restaurant and daily wine tasting.
Call 021 794-5128, email enquiries@grootconstantia.co.za or visit www.grootconstantia.co.za for more information.
Klein Constantia wines have been sought after by Napoleon Bonaparte, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. It specialises in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and its flagship red and white blends ‘Marlbrook’ and ‘Mme Marlbrook’. Situated in the upper foothills of the Constantiaberg, it is often referred to as the most beautiful vineyard in the world.
You’ll find Klein Constantia on Klein Constantia Road, Constantia. Call 021 794 5188, email info@kleinconstantia.com or visit www.kleinconstantia.com for more information.
Constantia Glen is the youngest of the wine farms on Constantia’s Wine Route and produces only two wines: Sauvignon Blanc and a Bordeaux-style blend. As young as it is, it has already won top honours at some of South Africa’s most prestigious wine shows. Wine tasting is by appointment only.
You’ll find Constantia Glen on Constantia Main Road, Constantia. Call 021 795 6100, email wine@constantiaglen.com or visit www.constantiaglen.com for more information.
Steenberg Vineyards is also relatively young, having only been around since 1990. It produces around 70 000 cases of wine per year, including its flagship Sauvignon Blanc as well as Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Nebbiolo. The old Steenberg farmstead has been declared a national monument and the estate boasts an 18-hole championship golf course. There is also a 24-suite Hotel and a top class restaurant
Call 021 713 2211, email info@steenbrg.co.za or visit www.steenberg-vineyards.co.za for more information.
The Cape Point Wine District came into being in 1998, after vines were established in Noordhoek in 1996. Since then vines have also been established in Scarborough and the region has come to specialise in Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon wine with a red on the way.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
