Groot Constantia

Groot Constantia, one of the oldest wine estates in the Cape, was founded in 1685. Simon van der Stel was the first Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and he was granted land for a farm which he called Constantia. When he died, the farm was subdivided into smaller ones, and his homestead and the surrounding buildings became Groot Constantia. The estate has been owned by a number of people over the last three centuries. The Cloete family held it the longest. It is currently owned by the Groot Constantia Trust, which intends to run it commercially but also to preserve it as a cultural and historical monument.

The estate is a high production but good quality one, and a great first stop on a tour of any of the various "wine routes" around Cape Town. There is a small museum which has history on this estate, plus information about winemaking in the Cape. There are 2 restaurants, Jonkershuis and Simon's, and the manor house is also open and full of artefacts. The buildings are beautiful examples of the simple but elegant Cape Dutch architecture.

Oak lined drive to the manor house.

The manor house.

Jonkershuis Restaurant is at the far end of this outbuilding, and the orientation centre (museum) at the other end.

Vineyards, and False Bay in the background.

An old carriage.

The manor house.

Statue above the door of the manor house.