Who knew that Constantia Wine Route has a long-standing history in the development of the wine industry; making it the oldest wine route as it celebrates 333 years of wine-making.

Wine has become a key aspect when it comes to traveling. I often find myself adding wineries to the long list of places to be exploring in small towns. With being in the Northern suburbs, Constantia wine route is a new adventure for me; having to travel over 40 minutes to get there but it’s well worth the trip since it has 9 exceptional wine estates to pick and choose from.

It’s in the History

Although Jan van Riebeek played a part in planting the Cape’s first vines, it was Simon van der Stel who fully launched Constantia to its full wine potential. Known as the first Cape Colony Governor, he had experience in viticulture; turning a 2400 hectare piece of land into a garden and the garden soon produced one of the finest wines that are now being enjoyed all over the world.

The Constantia Wine Route

Celebrating 333 years, the route is constantly being developed; incorporating modern technologies yet sticking to some old methods such as, “replacing vineyards with more profitable crops or simply uprooting without replanting. Constantia is constantly replanting vineyards and removing old, virus-infected vines with healthy vines of exciting new clones. We have to make sure that there are also old vines for the next generation in this way”, says Jacques du Plessis – Winemaker at Constantia Uitsig.

Besides various beautiful lookout points, delicious foods and spectacular wines, it’s situated in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site; The Table Mountain Nature Reserve.

Explore the wineries

There are 9 wineries to visit namely; Steenberg vineyards, Constantia Uitsig, Buitenverwachting, Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia, Eagle’s Nest, Constantia Glen, Beau Constantia, and Silvermist vineyards. With a new modern take and keeping up with evolving times, Constantia Wine Route launched a 360 degree Virtual Tour of each estate; sharing stories of its establishment, what it’s known for, what each winery can offer for that unique experience and giving you an overall experience of that the location is like.

Here’s a little teaser of what to expect once the Virtual Tour goes live:

Other than visiting the best wineries in the world, there are many other things to do from dining at award-winning top South African restaurants, doing wine safaris, try a hand in coffee roasting, zip-lining, bike tracks, and so much
more.

For more information, visit the Constantia Wine Route website here.

Until next time.

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