Visit Groot Constantia: Celebrating 340 Years of Winemaking Legacy

Visit Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine estate, and experience more than three centuries of winemaking heritage in the heart of the Constantia Valley. On 13 July 2025, this historic estate celebrated its remarkable 340th anniversary, marking generations of craftsmanship, resilience, and innovation in South African wine.

More than just a vineyard, Groot Constantia stands as a living testament to the enduring legacy of the Constantia wine region. Its historic vineyards, architecture, and cellars continue to reflect the story of a place where tradition and winemaking artistry have flourished since the 17th century.

Traversing Through 340 Years of Splendour

Groot Constantia is the original wine business in Constantia, deeply rooted in the vine and the craft of winemaking. Over the centuries, the estate has been divided, transformed, and reunited, yet its historic soils and vineyards remain central to the identity of the valley.

One of the best ways to explore this legacy is through the estate’s Visitors Route. Available at Groot Constantia, the self-guided experience offers access to key attractions including the Manor House Museum and the Cloete Cellar, where much of the estate’s history is preserved.

The route also includes a guided cellar tour and a wine tasting experience featuring five wines of your choice. Visitors can further explore the estate through three complimentary audio walking tours that guide you through the vineyards, the historic manor house, and the working production cellar.

Milestones Carved in Stone and Vine

Founded in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, Groot Constantia has played a central role in the development of South Africa’s wine industry. In 1712, the estate was divided, creating Bergvliet and Hoop Op Constantia alongside the original property.

Despite these changes, the legacy of the estate endured. In 1975, Groot Constantia reclaimed sections of Hoop Op Constantia and Nova Constantia farms, reuniting land that had once formed part of the original 1685 grant.

The estate’s reputation spread internationally as early as the 18th century. In 1713, former sea captain and VOC vice-admiral Harmens de Marre published a poem celebrating the estate, inspiring the famous sweet wine of Constantia – Grand Constance.

This wine would later gain global prestige, becoming a favourite among European royalty during the Napoleonic era. Over the years, Groot Constantia wines have also earned international acclaim, including gold medals at the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris and honours at the Melbourne International Exhibition.

A Journey Through Restoration

Like many historic wine estates, Groot Constantia has faced significant challenges. In the late 19th century, the devastating Phylloxera epidemic threatened vineyards across the region, nearly destroying the estate’s vines.

Yet resilience has always been part of Groot Constantia’s story. In 1925, the historic Manor House was destroyed by fire. Within a year it was restored, reopening in 1927 as a museum that now preserves the estate’s cultural heritage.

Recognising its national significance, the homestead and estate were officially declared a National Monument in 1984.

A Legacy Carried Forward

Today, Groot Constantia continues to balance heritage with sustainability. The estate is recognised by the World Wildlife Fund as a Conservation Champion and works with the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association to support responsible environmental and labour practices.

The establishment of the Groot Constantia Trust in 1993 ensured that the estate would be managed by a not-for-profit company dedicated to preserving South Africa’s wine culture for future generations.

To visit Cape Town and explore its historic wine routes is to experience centuries of heritage in every glass. A visit to Groot Constantia invites you to walk through the history of the South African wine industry, where every vineyard, cellar, and bottle tells a story.

This article has been adapted from the original piece published in This is Cape Town Magazine, Volume 5, specifically for the blog. Read the full magazine online at www.thisis.capetown/resources.