Constantia Uitsig

About Winery and Wines

Constantia’s history dates back to 1685, when Simon van der Stel named his property after the daughter of the benefactor who granted him a farm nestled beneath a picturesque mountain range. The lush setting and moderate temperatures bode well for farming and van der Stel set to work planting orchards and vineyards. Constantia is thus the oldest wine-producing region in the Southern Hemisphere – with an uninterrupted history of wine making that spans over 300 years. Having subsequently been subdivided into smaller farms, Constantia Uitsig is now one of a select handful of wine estates that together make up the Constantia Valley Wine Route. Once the setting for some of the Cape’s most loved and respected restaurants, as well as a popular Hotel and Spa, Constantia Uitsig is now home to a brand new restaurant in the old River Café premises (called Open Door), a new Wine Shop and a Bike Park for cycling enthusiasts.

There’s no denying that Constantia Uitsig has a long and rich heritage behind it. But it’s the prospect of what lies ahead that burns brightest in our hearts – not simply in the years to come, but in the generations to come too. Rooted in the past, we seek to be a haven from the present, and a gift for the future. That’s why we’re passionate about sustainability. Upholding an uncompromising commitment to the greenest building and farming practices, we hope to create a space that is at once beautiful, bio diverse and gentle on the environment. With a genuine desire to share our farm with the public, and together with them, celebrate the natural beauty of our surroundings, Uitsig is home to Open Door restaurant, our wine shop, and the Bike Park. As supporters of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI), we are in the process of ensuring our farm is as free of alien vegetation as possible. Where trees have been felled for this reason, their wood will be incorporated into future building alterations. Speaking of which, our new buildings at Uitsig rely on age-old building wisdom and integrity too. Wherever possible, we’ve used what we’ve found on the farm – from the timber beams and tables to the sand in the cement that holds everything together.