Groot (pronounced like "hoot") Constantia is the sixth and last of the "must see" places of interest in Cape Town. It's near Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, so you either have to take a taxi, rent a car, or take a hop-on hop-off bus there. I did the latter because it costs only 150 Rands and I could go to both places on the same trip.
There are many wineries in South Africa but what is significant about Constantia is that it was started in 1685 by the first governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, and therefore the very first winery in this country.
It had a such a good reputation that it was requested by European nobilities in the 18th and 19th century like Louis XVI of France and Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.
Other than being the first winery, there is nothing spectacularly different from other wineries. It has a beautiful setting next to Table Mountain and you can see the vineyards all the way up the slope of the mountain. They offer cellar tours and wine-tasting. I did not do any wine-tasting since I've done it in Stellenbosch. I did have a seafood lunch at one of their two very nice restaurants and had a glass of Pinotage red wine. Pinotage is a full-bodied red wine, bred in South Africa and it is it's signature variety.
Just walking around the winery gives you a nice, serene feeling. The greenery, mountains, old buildings, and of course, the wine. Makes you want to stay there for a few days and take in the fresh air and enjoy the surroundings. You could be anywhere - France, Italy, US, New Zealand, South Africa, etc. It doesn't matter. This place is for you to relax and enjoy.
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| No question as to what this place is all about |
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| Simon's Restaurant, where I had lunch |
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| A glass of Pintage with my lunch |
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| Some background information on the winery |
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| Some of the old buildings |
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| Vineyards in a beautiful surrounding |
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| Grapes ready for harvesting |
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| Wine Tasing |
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