Our Secret Garden

Our Constantia wine route is well known and accessible. We have 10 wine estates from which to choose. You can take a private tour or go to one or more of our recommendations. The external beauty of the wine route overseen by the Constantiaberg mountains with its canopied covering and winding roads, reflects the intrinsic beauty of the wines you will experience.

And whether you are experienced wine lovers or novices, our selection of wines, accompanied with fine dining, is more than suggestive of the superiority of our wines. Your insatiability will be appreciated by all of our wines with their varieties and consistent excellence.

We have a few recommendations this year for all of our guests: for the eclectic wine connoisseurs and those with discerning tastes, we recommend Groot Constantia, Buitenverwachting and Klein Constantia. Once one farm, they are now in not-so-subtle competition. However, each has its signature wine which makes them all well worth your while to explore. While Groot Constantia is the oldest wine farm in South Africa, it was divided into the aforementioned estates in the early years of the 18th century subsequently establishing equally independent wine farms. Competition ironically is their greatest bond as it augments and encourages local, regional and international visitors to experience their wide range of globally award-winning wines. All three estates have accumulated several awards nationally and internationally for their wines. You will be guided through the history of the wines and processes used to make them. The nuances of textures and flavours will make your choices challengingly enjoyable.

Preferences are subjective. Therefore, we encourage you to go with your own personal tastes and explore all these wonderful wines and the correlative experiences of the restaurants on these wine estates.

Geographically, Buitenverwachting is your point of departure for these ‘big 3’. Appropriately named ‘Beyond,’ the restaurant here is beyond all expectations so best not to have any. The stunning views of the vineyards and mountains just add an ethereal allure to this exclusive estate.

Just around the corner you will find Klein Constantia. Tucked away up a winding road is the entrance to the history of the farm with maps glazing the walls of the vineyards displaying specific areas from which the grapes are carefully chosen to produce their wines. The restaurant is contiguous to the wine tasting room so guests can glide from one room to the other.

From Klein Constantia, the road to Groot Constantia is enveloped in winelands. Almost paradisiacal. The views boundlessly beautiful. The entrance to Groot Constantia greets you with another unexpected and exceptional tour. Groot Constantia has a museum, two restaurants, duck ponds and vast gardens which reach out to their winelands. The history of the oldest wine farm in South Africa is elegantly displayed but still feels as though you’ve stepped into the past. They have got the combination right. There is a bonus point here too, as not just your children, but also your ‘four paws’ are allowed here on their leads.

Moving along the route. If you want a family-picnic-style day excursion, we recommend Eagle’s Nest with its paths and extensive lawns and play areas for children. The less formal appearance of this estate makes it more accessible as a family outing, however, the quality of the wines is superb. This venue is a good choice to linger for the day and gets bonus points for allowing your four paws to accompany you as well as being the closest wine estate to The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa.

Less than half a kilometer further up Constantia Nek, you might enjoy Beau Constantia as the panoramic view of False Bay is a natural wonder to behold on its own. Beau Constantia also has its Chef’s Warehouse restaurant with its signatory and rare combination of ‘fine causal’ dining unlikely to be found elsewhere.

Lastly, just over the top of the Nek, Silvermist organic wine estate greets you with an extraordinary African music and storytelling experience by Drumstruck. Previously performed on Broadway and here now in November, they will add an exceptional and unforgettable treat for your stay.

So, submerge back into the world of wine with our Constantia wine farms. What a welcoming opportunity for your return to the Constantia Valley, and the 5-star Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa, a proud Small Luxury Hotels of the World member.