Groot Constantia
South Africa's oldest winery, founded in 1685 and famous for its white Cape Dutch manor buildings and sweet wine history. It is just 20 minutes from the city center.
Groot Constantia was founded in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, governor of the Cape Colony. In the 18th and 19th centuries its sweet wine, Vin de Constance, was famous across Europe. Napoleon, when exiled to St Helena, also asked for it by name. The main house on the estate is a classic Cape Dutch building with white gabled walls. It is now a museum displaying colonial-era furniture and the history of slavery. Cellar tours and tasting rooms are available (about ZAR 100 to 150 for five wines), and two restaurants, Jonkershuis and Simon's, serve Cape Malay cuisine. Opening hours are roughly 09:00 to 18:00. The estate lies on the Constantia Valley wine route, with other wineries nearby such as Klein Constantia and Beau Constantia, and it can be combined with Kirstenbosch on the same day.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Table Mountain
- Hout Bay
- Chapman's Peak Lookout
- Camps Bay
- Muizenberg Beach
- Duiker Island (Seal Island)
- Lion's Head