Groot Constantia Wine Estate

Date: 19 November 2011

Location: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Constantia

Walkers: Aafke & Helen

After a busy morning browsing at exhibitions and shopping our first stop at Groot Constantia was the Jonkershoek Restaurant for a refreshing cup of tea and a slice of cheesecake. Afterwards we decided to stroll around the estate. It was midday on the first hot day of the summer, so we were hugely grateful for the shade under the oak trees!



We decided to walk up the avenue, back towards the entrance gate.



From here we got a glorious view, west, of the back table and Devil's Peak.



We retraced our steps, back to the trees. Great view to the east too: vineyards, the southern suburbs, the cape flats and the Hottentot's Holland mountains in the distance.



The restaurant was filling up with the lunchtime crowd now.



The approach leads directly to the grand Cape Dutch Manor House.



We walked around the manor house to the pond and cellar building behind. The Groot Constantia estate dates back to the 1680s. I always enjoy visiting - it's such a gracious old building, with a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere in the grounds.




We decided to continue our stroll up the path to the historic bath. Another invitingly avenue, with impressively huge oak trees creating dappled light and welcome coolth.



There were several squirrels about, but this little fellow was particularly tame. Poor little guy hasn't much of a tail!




Beyond the path lie vineyards, with white rose borders.



We continued up the path. I remember picnicing on the green lawns to the left years ago but they seem to have disallowed that now. Signs forbid picnics and warn of baboons in the area.



There is a little garden at the top, with the old pool almost empty and looking a bit dilapidated. We sat on a bench and soaked in the glorious vistas. The slight elevation means awesome views of the Constantia mountains...



... and down to Silvermine and Muizenberg. Hooray for summer!


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