Groot Constantia Turned Out 333 Years! Happy Birthday!

Cape Town is a beautiful city and coming to this city for me is always like a breath of fresh air. Among all cities in the world Cape Town has an advantage of being a big urban city with many skyscrapers and have small areas, like villages in a city with quiet living. Among places like that is Constantia Groot, which is not far from the center of the city, but it is peaceful and quiet. Just take a wine route R41 and you are there.

Most of all I like history connected to this place. Imagine yourself in 16th century, sailing on a ship, coming to the unknown country. When I go to the Cape Point I always imagine the storms in this place should be severe, the winds are almost unbearable. People who came into this country were very strong and adventurous, otherwise they would not survived here.

Legends… They make the place alive. Funny, isn’t it? When you remember the place you also remember the stories surrounding it. The smell of history makes Groot Constantia like an old lady- grand, noble and sophisticated. The history in Groot Constantia is rich and parallels the history of Cape Town. It all started in 1679 when Simon Van der Stel arrived in Table Bay and becomes a Governor of the Cape. Later on he was granted the land he named Constantia. When it started it was a small place, where slaves did all the work. In 1716 Oloff Bergh becomes the owner of Constantia. His wife Anna de Konningh, was the daughter of a freed slave, and she inherited Constantia later.

Groot Constantia now is a big contemporary vinery with two restaurants, museum and a shop where you can buy a bottle of wine (or two) and also can do wine pairing. Museum is situated in an old building, carefully restored and very well preserved. I went on a tour and found out a lot of interesting facts about Groot Constantia and wine. Historically Groot Constantia wine was very well known even in Europe. Among Groot Constantia customers were Napoleon, Otto Bismark, King Lous XVI of France, Napoleon loved red muscat and his companion Count De Las Cases ordered 30 bottles of red wine a month for Napoleon to comfort him in exile on St Helena.

Now Groot Constantia is producing about 400 tons of grape mass, 600 000 bottles a year of white wine, red wine and brandy. Do you know how long it will take to produce for example red wine from the start of the process to the finish? It takes approximately from 14 to 20 month to produce good wine, ports take the longest up to 20 month to finish. To produce brandy usually takes up to 5 years.

Of course I tasted wine and I must say portions for tasting were very generous. After tasting I felt a bit light headed, so if you come to Groot Constantia you must have a designated driver, who drinks very little or nothing at all. After tasting red wine I felt like I am flying.

Oh, and I have forgotten to mention that there is a substantial exhibition of art on a premises. Many artists display their works and you can buy them.

Well, to come to Groot Constantia and not to try food? Now, let’s go to a restaurant. I had a meal quite few times already and I must say food will never disappoint you. Bread is light, crispy, chips are well done, country style, meat is so gentle you don’t have to fight with this meat to break it in pieces. The whole place is fantastic.See for yourself.

Did I mention the bath with ducks? Children just can’t stay away from the bath, they watch ducks and play. This place is good for family travel. I’ve seen quite a lot of people coming to celebrate birthdays.To find this place is easy. Just go by wine route R41 till you see Groot Constantia road and turn into it.Tourists can come to Groot Constantia by Red Bus. Very convinient!

Well, I had a good weekend and it is time to go back to Johannesburg. I will remember you, Groot Constantia, for the artistic spirit, for your beauty, for the aftertaste of history and I will be back.

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