Groot Constantia

Homestead of Simon Van Der Stel
021 794 5128

This is South Africa’s Oldest Wine Producing Estate. It was founded in 1685. Explore this heritage site via the new Visitors Route Experience. One ticket gives you entrance to the Manor House Museum, the original Cloete Cellar, a cellar tour, and wine tasting, you also get a Spiegelau Crystal wine glass. Groot Constantia is open 7 days a week (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) Wine tastings are offered, such as chocolate and wine pairings. Two restaurants are on the estate: Jonkershuis Restaurant and Simon’s Restaurant.

Simon Van Der Stel

In 1685, during his visit to the Cape, Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein who was the colonial administrator for the Dutch East India Company, granted the grounds of Groot Constantia to Simon van Der Stel the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1679, Simon van der Stel had requested land, from the Dutch East India Company. He occasionally sent out scouts who collected soil samples. In 1685 he selected 763 h for its wine-growing potential.  He named his farm, ‘Groot Constantia’, which means constancy and steadfastness in Latin.
The excellent quality wine produced by this farm caught the attention of some very influential people. King Louis of France ordered the entire vintage one year. Also, a glass of Groot Constantia wine was one of Napoleon’s last requests before he died in exile on St. Helena.

Simon Van der Stel built the manor house and farmed grapes for wine as well as other fruit and vegetables, some cattle farming also took place. Following the death of Van der Stel in 1712 the estate was broken up into three parts: Groot Constantia Klein Constantia and Bergvliet.

The Cloete family

In 1779 the Cloete family acquired the portion of the estate that included Van der Stel’s Cape Dutch-style manor house. The house remained in the possession of the Cloete family until 1885, during which time the estate became famous for its production of wine.

In 1885 Groot Constantia was sold to the government of the Cape of Good Hope Following a disastrous fire. In 1925 the house was extensively restored. The house is now a national monument.

Vines and oaks

The hollowed-out European Oak tree in the Groot Constantia property is several centuries old. It is one of many found on the property. Rows of oak trees were planted to shield the vineyards from the gale force southeasterly winds. Also to provide wood to make wine barrels. Unfortunately, the wood was not suitable for this purpose because the oaks grow quickly in the Cape therefore producing only low-quality, porous wood.

Ghosts

It is said that the ghost of Simon Van Der Stel can sometimes be seen wandering around the gardens and sometimes takes a dip in the pool in summer.

You can walk around the property, or take the free VoiceMap audio tours for a guided exploration of the farm.

Free entrance is included in your City Pass ticket

Groot Constantia Rd,

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Monday – Thursday 09h00 – 17h00 Wine Tasting, Chocolate & Wine Pairing Cellar Tours Last tasting ticket sold 16h00 Wine Sales Friday – Sunday 09h00 – 17h00 Wine Tasting, Chocolate & Wine Pairing Cellar Tours Last tasting ticket sold 16h00
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