South Africa’s oldest winemaking farm, Groot Constantia, turns 339 years old this year, and to celebrate, the wine farm has a lineup of fun events planned this winter.
Founded on 13 July 1685, Groot Constantia has been a beacon of excellent winemaking for over three centuries. The estate’s rich heritage is celebrated worldwide, and its wines have graced the tables of royalty and dignitaries, earning acclaim from Louis Philippe (King of the French) to Napoleon.
Groot Constantia recently scooped 14 top awards at this year’s prestigious National Wine Awards, which include three Grand Cru Awards, six Top 100 and Double Platinum Awards, two Double Gold Awards, and three Double Silver Awards.
As it marks another year, the award-winning estate continues to champion its sustainability and environmental care initiatives, being recognised as a WWF-SA Wine Conservation Champion.
If you are visiting this winter, here’s everything you can expect at Groot Constantia:
The Vintage Tasting Experience
One of the activities to try during July and August is the Vintage Tasting Experience, which you can exclusively enjoy in the cellars of the age-old Manor House, located in historic vineyards and known as a symbol of heritage and consistent excellence. This unique experience, which offers an opportunity to taste a selection of the estate’s most prized vintages, can be booked on Dineplan (available to book from 1 July) for groups of two to 10 people.
To pre-book, you can email bookings@grootconstantia.co.za.
The experience costs R1000pp, which includes tastings of 5 different vintage wines, a breadboard, and a dedicated wine expert.
Groot Constantia Tasting Options
Sip and savour the estate’s top wines when you book a wine tasting or cellar tour. The tastings include:
Wine Tasting
What’s included: Select 5 wines of your choice and enjoy them in a branded souvenir wine glass that you can take home.
Cost: R130
Chocolate and Wine Pairing
What’s included: Taste five selected wines, each perfectly paired with 5 handcrafted chocolates. Once you have finished the tasting, you can take home the souvenir branded wine glass.
Cost: R200
Visitors Route Experience Ticket
Groot Constantia’s specially designed circular Visitors Route Experience combines wine, history and scenic landscapes.
Start at the original Manor House and proceed through the Manor House Museum and Cloete Cellar, the original wine production cellar from 1791. Then, after a wine tasting, embark on a self-guided cellar and vineyard audio tour, which is from 10am-4pm. You can add a chocolate tasting for only R60.
Cost: R155
Groot Constantia Wine & Gift Shop
If you need some retail therapy, head to the Groot Constantia Wine & Gift Shop, located in the tasting room at the main entrance. Here, you will find a curated collection of hand-made art and lifestyle ware, each piece inspired by the natural and historical heritage of Groot Constantia. Visitors can relish a variety of unique items, from intricate beadwork and exquisite patterned cloth to plush cushions, one-of-a-kind wearable art, and hand-crafted earthen and glassware.
Dine
After your Vintage Tasting Experience, visit one of the restaurants on the estate: Jonkershuis Eatery and Simon’s Restaurant. Both restaurants offer an array of culinary experiences and have cosy fireplaces to enhance your dining experience this winter. Simon’s also hosts regular events, which they share on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Reserving a table is highly recommended. You can make a reservation at Jonkershuis: 021 794 6255, and for Simon’s Restaurant: 021 794 1143.
Wine Club Membership
Groot Constantia also has a Wine Club membership, which provides access to the Vintage Tasting collection of the estate’s most prized vintages and a 10% discount on all current wines, with no initial sign-up cost.
Website: www.grootconstantia.co.za