Cape Winelands

Make the home-base of your Western Cape trip one of the luxury villas, fine boutique hotels, elegant guesthouses or historic homesteads sheltered in the affluent, peaceful suburb of Constantia in Cape Town, South Africa. Constantia’s serene wine-growing district, was formerly a farm belonging to Cape Governor, Simon Van Der Stel, and is one of the oldest and quietest suburbs in the region. As the closest grape-growing area to the center of Cape Town, Constantia is a convenient location from which to experience the vibrant city bowl of Cape Town just 20 minutes away. At the end of a busy day, the return to Constantia’s farm-style cafes, classic Cape Dutch architecture and lush vineyards delights the senses and soothes the soul. 

Spend a leisurely day tasting the fine local wines at the legendary wine-farms in the area. Tickle your palate with a burst of Cap Classique bubbles from the Steenberg Vineyards before moving on to the excellent varietals at High Constantia, Groot Constantia and Constantia Glen. 

Constantia’s breathtaking pastoral beauty makes it a choice destination for hiking and walking expeditions. There are a variety of quiet trails to explore varying from from a gentle ramble to fairly steep climbs, with stunning views of Hout Bay, the Constantia Valley, Orange Kloof, or the city of Cape Town. View sites all along the Constantia Green Belt beckon you to savor a backpack picnic alongside a mountain stream or catch your breath under a rocky overhang, surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains.  

Constantia is also known for its world-class cuisine and no vacation in the area would be complete without trying the delectable, locally-sourced French-style dining offered by restaurants like La Colombe or authentic Cape Malay-inspired, bistro-style food at Jonkershuis.

Best Time to Visit Constantia:

The best time to visit Constantia for warm weather outdoor activities and clear skies is between the months of December to March, Winters in the Cape are cool, wet, and partly cloudy. Don’t forget your sunscreen and a hat if you are walking in the summer heat and keep a look-out for snakes on the mountain trails.  

Located just 45 minutes out of Cape Town, the Cape’s French Corner, Franschhoek, is the unofficial foodie capital of the South African Winelands. The village’s quaint streets are lined with excellent restaurants, sophisticated art galleries, desirable clothing designs, chocolatiers and gleaming antique shops all cloaked in an atmosphere of refined Huguenot heritage. 

Franschhoek is famous for its illustrious wine estates where you can learn about wine-making techniques while sampling the local product, but this fertile valley is also an ideal base from which to explore the nearby wine-routes of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Somerset West. The Franschhoek Wine Tram offers hop-on, hop-off wine tasting experiences or multi-course meals paired with the finest wines and bubbles. Franschhoek is also part of the Four Passes Fruit Route.  

The scenic walking trails winding through the surrounding mountains and the spectacular views from Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve attract nature lovers from near and far who come to  commune with nature in one of the world’s most beautiful wine-growing valleys. Even the accommodation is exquisite in Franschhoek; you will find yourself spoilt for choice between authentic wine-farm stays in beautifully restored Cape Dutch cottages, elegant Bed and Breakfast and Guest Lodge options and 5 star luxury hotels and self-catering choices. 

Best Time to Visit Franschhoek:

Some say you should visit Franschhoek between April to May and September to October, when the weather is at its most pleasant, but many prefer the warmer months of January and February just after the peak of the Summer season when the holidaymakers have left, but the climate is still heavenly.