Cape Town Winelands Tour

While in Cape Town, the winelands tour, whether private or shared, is a must for anyone to discover and appreciate the beauty and heritage of Cape Winelands, often called wine routes. Way back in 1685, Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the Cape, who himself was an authority on winemaking, had selected the fertile Constantia valley to set up his wine estate. Groot Constantia, developed by the late Governor is the oldest wine farm in South Africa that produces excellent red and white wines both.

The original Constantia Farm, over the year, have diversified into several individual units, each as distinctive as the other, producing world-class wine. Apart from these, there are several other wine routes that include Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl, equally famous for their priceless products. What however is common to all these wine estates include the views offered by them, being set against the backdrop of green mountains, lush valley and flowery meadows.

Also located at the foothills of the beautiful Constantiaberg Mountains, the Klein Constantia Estate, which is owned by the family members of the late Governor offers the same impressive views across the valley and towards the False Bay. It produces some of the finest South African wines. Wine sales and Tasting: Monday through Friday (09.00 to 17.00) Saturday (09.00 to 13.00). Cellar tours by appointment only.

As you proceed through the eastern slopes of the Constantiaberg Mountains, you can’t miss the Buitenverwachting Estate that was also once part of the original Constantia group started by Simon van der Stel. However, it has changed hands many times in the past and consequently had lost most its inherent goodwill. However, it has since been restored and is producing good quality wines. As an offshoot to the main business, the present owners have opened a continental style restaurant on the lawns of the estate which is currently rated amongst the top 10 in the country. Wine sales and Tasting: Mon-Fri (9.00 – 17.00); Sat (9.00 – 13.00). Cellar tour: by appointment only.

Yet another Constantia subsidiary is the Constantia Uitsig Estate that is famous for not only producing world-class wine but also for its award-winning restaurants named Constantia Uitsig and La Colombe both serving continental food. However, the Spaanschemat River Café owned by the Constantia group is mostly preferred by Cape Towners for dinner amidst breathtaking surroundings. Wine sales and Tasting: Mon – Fri (09.00 – 18.00); Sat (09.00 – 17.00).