Constantia · Constantia, Cape Town
Groot Constantia
The oldest wine estate in South Africa — Napoleon's favourite dessert wine and the birthplace of Cape wine.
About Groot Constantia
Founded in 1685 by governor Simon van der Stel, Groot Constantia is the oldest working wine estate in South Africa and the birthplace of the country's wine industry.
Groot Constantia is genuinely historic — favoured by Napoleon in exile, Jane Austen name-checked its dessert wine in her novels, and the estate still produces the reborn Grand Constance dessert wine that made the property famous.
History
Granted to Simon van der Stel in 1685, the estate has been in continuous production for 340 years. The Grand Constance vin de constance was replanted and reintroduced in the 1980s.
The wine experience
Two tasting venues — the Cloete Cellar for classics and Jonkershuis for pairings. The 'Story of Constantia' tour combines a cellar visit with the Grand Constance history.
- Classic tasting
- Chocolate pairing
- Story of Constantia tour
Signature wines
- Grand Constance (natural sweet)
- Gouverneurs Reserve (Bordeaux blend)
- Lady of Abundance red blend
- Sauvignon Blanc
Food on the estate
Jonkershuis Restaurant (Cape Malay classics) and Simon's at Groot Constantia.
Pros and cons
An honest read from a driver who's been to every farm on this list.
Pros
- The oldest and most historic wine estate in the country
- Grand Constance is a genuinely great dessert wine with a global reputation
- Only 25 minutes from central Cape Town — no long drive required
- Two very different restaurants on-site
- Beautiful Cape Dutch architecture and mature oaks
Cons
- Extremely busy on weekends and in summer
- Tour buses arrive throughout the day
- Restaurants can be slow in high season
- Constantia weather can be cool and misty when Stellenbosch is sunny
Best for
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about visiting Groot Constantia.
How much does a wine tasting at Groot Constantia cost?+
Tastings at Groot Constantia start from R100 per person. Options include Classic tasting, Chocolate pairing, Story of Constantia tour. Prices are typically waived or discounted with a bottle purchase — confirm current rates directly with the estate as they change seasonally.
What are Groot Constantia's opening hours?+
Groot Constantia is open Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00. Tastings are pre-booked and the last tasting slot usually closes 60–90 minutes before the estate does, so arrive with time to spare.
How far is Groot Constantia from Cape Town and Stellenbosch?+
Groot Constantia is roughly 25 minutes by car from central Cape Town and about 45 minutes from Stellenbosch town, traffic depending. The estate is at Groot Constantia Road, Cape Town.
Do I need to book in advance at Groot Constantia?+
Yes — like most Constantia estates, Groot Constantia works on pre-booked tastings, especially on weekends and in peak season (November–April). Walk-ins are sometimes possible mid-week but never guaranteed.
Is there food available at Groot Constantia?+
Jonkershuis Restaurant (Cape Malay classics) and Simon's at Groot Constantia.
Can Stellenbosch Shuttles drive me to Groot Constantia?+
Yes. We run private, all-inclusive day tours to Groot Constantia and the wider Constantia winelands from Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the Winelands hotels. One flat rate covers the vehicle, driver, fuel and tolls — you taste freely, we drive safely. Request a quote for your dates and group size.
Visiting Groot Constantia? We'll drive.
One flat all-day rate — driver, fuel, tolls and cellar-door bottle collection included.