Groot Constantia
The oldest wine estate in the country, whose sweet wine was ordered by Napoleon in exile and named in three novels.
Updated 22 October 2026
Simon van der Stel was granted this land in 1685 and planted vines, and Groot Constantia has produced wine ever since, which makes it the oldest wine estate in South Africa. Its reputation was made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by Constantia, a sweet wine from late-harvested Muscat that became one of the most sought-after wines in Europe: Napoleon had it shipped to Saint Helena during his exile, and it appears by name in Austen's Sense and Sensibility, Dickens and Baudelaire. Production lapsed and was revived in the 1980s. The manor house is a Cape Dutch landmark with a gabled front, restored after a fire in 1925 and now a museum with period furniture; the Cloete cellar behind it has a pediment sculpted by Anton Anreith. There are two tasting rooms, two restaurants and vineyard walks with views to False Bay.
History
In 1685 Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein granted the land to Governor Simon van der Stel, and after his death in 1712 the estate was split into Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia and Bergvliet. The Cloete family bought the manor in 1779, added the wine cellar in 1791 and made the estate famous for Constantia dessert wine; the Cape government bought it in 1885, and the house was restored after a fire in 1925 (Wikipedia, Groot Constantia).
Highlights
- The 1685 estate - continuous winemaking on the oldest wine farm in the country.
- The Constantia wine - a sweet Muscat ordered by Napoleon and named in three literatures.
- The manor house - a Cape Dutch gabled front, now a period museum.
- The Anreith pediment - sculpted relief on the old wine cellar.
When to go
All year. Half a day. Weekends and summer afternoons are busy.
Things to know
It is the most visited wine estate in the Cape and feels it - coaches, crowds and queues at the tasting room in season. Tastings and the museum are separate tickets. The manor is a reconstruction after fire, not untouched 1685 fabric.
Nearby
Kirstenbosch is over the ridge; the rest of the Constantia wine route is adjacent.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q2487774, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Groot Constantia
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if Groot Constantia is going on the list.
Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
