Constantia
Cape Town's own wine valley — the closest vineyards to the city, and the easiest half-day.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The most accessible wine experience in the Cape, perfect for those who prefer history and convenience over long drives.
The most accessible wine experience in the Cape, perfect for those who prefer history and convenience over long drives.
- Trip Role
- Quick Stop
- Ideal Stay
- Half a day
- Best For
- Time-poor Cape Town visitors
Why it's worth your time
As the oldest wine-producing region in the southern hemisphere, Constantia offers a compact, historic alternative to the sprawling winelands further afield. Its proximity to central Cape Town makes it an efficient choice for a half-day excursion, featuring a cluster of estates that sit directly beneath the Table Mountain range.
What we love
Five estates within twenty minutes of Cape Town — including the country's oldest wine farm and the dessert wine that was famous in 18th-century European courts.
What to know
Founded 1685 by Simon van der Stel; the Constantia dessert wines were exported to and prized by European royalty long before any other South African wine crossed an ocean.
What's here
Also in Constantia
Beau Constantia
The highest estate in Constantia, with a glass-walled tasting room and the best valley view.
Groot Constantia
The oldest wine estate in South Africa, founded 1685, still producing in the Cape's oldest valley.
Klein Constantia
The estate behind Vin de Constance — the legendary dessert wine Napoleon drank in exile.
La Colombe
One of South Africa's most celebrated fine-dining restaurants, set in a treehouse above the Constantia vineyards — multi-course tasting menus and exacting technique.
Steenberg
A historic Constantia estate with a hotel, a golf course, and one of the best restaurants in the valley.
Pair it with
Cape Town
South Africa's mother city — Table Mountain, two oceans, the Winelands next door, and the country's best food.
La Colombe
One of South Africa's most celebrated fine-dining restaurants, set in a treehouse above the Constantia vineyards — multi-course tasting menus and exacting technique.
More wine region in Western Cape
Breedekloof Wine Region
A river-valley wine region near Rawsonville, known for Chenin Blanc and value.
Durbanville Wine Valley
The closest wine region to Cape Town's northern suburbs — Sauvignon Blanc and easy half-days.
Elgin Wine Region
A cool, high-altitude apple-growing basin on the N2 — the Cape's cool-climate secret.
Franschhoek Wine Region
A food-led valley of Huguenot heritage, tasting rooms that double as lunch destinations, and the wine tram.
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
A cool-climate valley behind Hermanus, famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and improving fast.
Paarl Wine Region
A historic wine region under a giant granite dome, with serious reds and old estates.