December holidays are right here, and an ideal thought for one thing “Groot” to do that summer season that entails contemporary air, lovely surroundings, scrumptious meals, award profitable wines and enjoyable for all ages is a go to to Groot Constantia – SA’s oldest wine producing farm and a vacationer hotspot that has been in existence since 1685!
What to anticipate at Groot Constantia
A must-do expertise when visiting Groot Constantia is the Guests Route, which is a family-friendly self-guided tour, which follows a specifically designed round route by way of Groot Constantia’s key points of interest.
The unique Manor Home at Groot Constantia (which is an Iziko Museum) is the place to begin to the Guests Route Expertise and from right here guests make their strategy to the famed Cloete Cellar (the unique wine manufacturing cellar from 1791 which is now a museum and tasting room), for a wine tasting expertise. There may be additionally the choice to strive a Chocolate and Wine Pairing Expertise – a should for lovers of the sweeter aspect of issues.
After having fun with a wine tasting, with your individual Spiegelau crystal glass to take residence as a memento (and well-timed Christmas reward deal with), visitors then head to the trendy Manufacturing Cellar, which is the departure level for the self-guided cellar and winery audio-tours.
Enjoyable and free self-guided audio excursions
The Museum, Cellar, and Winery Audio Excursions are freed from cost and accessible for obtain by anybody with a sensible telephone.
The Winery Tour is a implausible strategy to meet the grapes that give Groot Constantia’s wine a lot character and can delight guests of all ages – even those that aren’t sufficiently old for his or her first glass of wine. Groot Constantia’s viticulturist, Floricius Beukes, shares his deep inside information on the Estates vineyards throughout this enjoyable tour.
Retail remedy with a neighborhood twist
After finishing the Guests Route expertise, make sure you cease in on the Wine and Reward store on the Property. This thrilling retail expertise is a festive celebration of all issues native and showcases distinctive work, impressed by Groot Constantia, from a myriad of gifted native South African entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and craftsmen.
Bespoke objects to anticipate embrace issues similar to lovely wine cooler luggage handcrafted by Palms of Hope, a job-creation initiative for ex-offenders, ceramics that boast a shocking Groot Constantia illustration by Michael Chandler, cute bead and wire chickens and canine by native wire artist Tavengwa Dahwa, gentle and silky scarves with fantastically designed prints – and a lot extra!
An important day trip requires an ideal meal too
A go to to Groot Constantia isn’t full and not using a scrumptious meal at one of many two top-notch eating places on the Property – Jonkershuis and Simon’s.
Jonkershuis is surrounded by historical oak bushes and with its relaxed child-friendly environment is a stunning household restaurant to go to with the youngsters – furry ones too. An enormous hit at Jonkershuis is the picnics, which might be pre-ordered (24 hours’ discover is required) for any meal of the day. The restaurant additionally runs every day specials on their a la carte menu and will likely be open for Christmas day lunch and New Yr’s Eve – however make sure you e book properly upfront!
Simon’s Restaurant gives al fresco eating on the terrace and is near the duck pond for the youngsters to spend time feeding their feathered pals. A very standard drawcard is the stay music at Simon’s each Wednesday and Friday night, in addition to throughout Sunday lunch. Simon’s additionally runs common specials similar to Burger Evening, Date Evening and Seafood Evening, and the restaurant is open for Christmas eve, Christmas lunch and New Yr’s day – with bookings important.
Memorable and enjoyable chauffeured transport
Groot Constantia is simply a 25-minute drive from Cape City’s metropolis centre. Higher nonetheless, for many who need to add one other layer of enjoyable to the day, and want to chill out and savour the award-winning wines, you may catch the pink double decker open-topped Metropolis Sightseeing bus, which can take you to Groot Constantia – while having fun with a phenomenal scenic drive – and return you later to town.
Taking a style of Groot Constantia residence with you
For these eager to buy some wine to get pleasure from at residence, over December and January Groot Constantia will likely be providing a restricted launch Heritage Choice Field, which comprise a group of six premium wines, made up of three present wines and their three respective vintages from the Classic Vault. This particular Heritage Choice Field is obtainable on the Wine and Reward store.
Groot Constantia is celebrating 336 years of wine manufacturing this yr and are inviting the general public to expertise it for themselves – immerse your self within the historical past of the Cape’s wine trade, have enjoyable with household and pals, style world-class wines, make reminiscences, chill out, and unwind.
Aside from Christmas day, when the Property stays closed (excluding the eating places), Groot Constantia is open every day from 09h00. The Cloete Cellar and Manufacturing Cellar are open from 10h00 – 17h00, with the final tour at 16h00 and final tasting at 16h15. The tasting room on the entrance to Groot Constantia is open from 09h00 -18h00, with the final tasting at 17h15.
Cape City Tourism at Groot Constantia
When visiting Groot Constantia throughout December and January hold your eyes open for Cape City Tourism’s cellular Thando workforce, and you possibly can win some nice prizes to rejoice #GrootSummer! Snap an image of your self with the cellular data van and characters within the Groot Summer time picture body, put up it utilizing #GrootSummer and you possibly can stand an opportunity to win experiences similar to Metropolis Sightseeing tickets, a picnic at Jonkershuis, a burger at Simons, or Customer Route Tickets. The workforce will likely be on the Property on 22 December and seven, 8, 12, 21 in addition to 22 January.
For extra data go to www.grootconstantia.co.za or join with Groot Constantia by way of social media on Twitter, Fb and Instagram @GrootConstantia. To make a reservation at Jonkershuis contact+27 21 794-6255, or reservations@jhuis.co.za. To e book at Simon’s contact +27 21 794-1143 or electronic mail data@simons.co.za.