Constantia

Constantia is one of the most upmarket suburbs of Cape Townpe Town

Constantia is situated in the Western Cape of South Africa. It is one of the most up market suburbs of Cape Town with enormous houses set in leafy grounds behind big walls. Constantia lies in the shadow of Table Mountain where the area is green and cool with a good selection of hotels and guest houses. Groot Constantia, the Capes oldest vineyard and fine Cape Dutch homestead is located here and is well worth a visit.

When you go, take a look at the fine sculptured pediment over the cellar and see if you can spot the cherub who lost his manhood during recent renovations. In the late 1980s a bottle of 1791 Constantia wine was discovered in the Duke of Northumberlands cellar in the UK, and returned to South Africa for a ceremonial tasting. Napoleon is said to have favoured the sweet wines of Constantia above all others and this 200 year old deep amber liquid had withstood the passing years amazingly well. Its sweet fruity flavour scored incredible 18.7 points out of 20, by the wine experts on the tasting panel.

Originally a farm owned and developed by Simon van der Stel (1685), the Constantia valley is renowned for it’s award-winning wines, with the Groot Constantia was one of the first wine producing areas of the Western Cape, and Groot Constantia boasts some of the first and finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture. The homestead is exquisitely furnished with antiques.

HISTORICAL VIEW

Groot Constantia Estate and Museum Complex

The beautiful homestead at Groot Constantia, a classic example of the Cape Dutch style, now houses a museum, exhibiting a fine collection of antiques, paintings andporcelain from the mid-1700’s. The wine museum exhibits drinking and storage vessels in glass, silver, copper and stoneware from 500BC to the 19^th century.

Alphen

A National Monument, the manor house has a fine collection of antique furniture and paintings. Also the fine Alphen Hotel with it’s Cloete’s Restaurant and Boer-‘n-Brit Pub.

ATTRACTIONS

Constantia Wine Route

WHERE TO STAY

Bergvliet Bed & Breakfast

Situated in the centre on the Cape Peninsula, we are 5 minutes away from the Constantia Wine Route, 10 minutes from the beaches and mountain walks, and 20 minutes from Table Mountain Cableway and V&A Waterfront. Each room, en-suite, has it’s own private entrance, TV, radio, tea & Coffee making facilities. Private patio in secluded garden with pool. Full breakfast included in the rates.

Accommodation in and around Constantia