When people think of winelands in the Cape, the first words to spring to mind are usually Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Surely, you'd think, these picturesque towns steeped in Cape Dutch history must be the historic centre of what is rapidly becoming one of the Western Cape's most popular tourist drawcards?

But to find the true beginnings of the Cape winelands you needn't cast your gaze as far afield as the winelands at the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountains, but rather just a short drive from the city to the lush valley of Constantia.

Although perhaps better known as one of Cape Town's more genteel suburbs, the Constantia Valley is also the most accessible of the Cape's winelands areas, with the added bonus of being home to some of South Africa's finest white wines.

The valley owes its success to the forethought of Simon van der Stel — one of the founding fathers of the fledgling Cape colony and the man who gave his name to the town of Stellenbosch — who first planted the area way back in 1685. And they say South Africa makes 'New World' wine!

Historic estates

Coming from Cape Town the first estate you'll encounter is Groot Constantia; by far the most famous of the valley's estates. Groot Constantia offers cellar tours and tastings of their award-winning wines, but this is also the best place to find out more about the history of the area with a stroll through the cultural history museum in the Manor house. Beware the tour buses though — this is one of the main stops on the tourist trail, so if you're looking for a peaceful wine-tasting escape then best you get there early to avoid the crowds.

For fine wines in a more tranquil setting Klein Constantia is hard to beat, where pastoral scenes and sweeping vineyards welcome visitors to this equally historic estate. Although you can't enjoy a tour of the cellars, their world-famous Vin de Constance makes the cellar well worth a visit. Reputedly the favoured drink of Napoleon whilst in exile on the island of St. Helena, this sweet wine has long been a favourite of royalty around the world, but at R245 a bottle it's certainly not an everyday tipple.

The neighbouring estate of Buitenverwachting certainly lives up to its name, with both wine and views beyond expectations. Their well-priced Buiten Blanc and tasty Meifort are excellent value-for-money buys, while their signature Bordeaux blend 'Christine' is one of the valley's few outstanding red wines.

With good wine, of course, goes good food, and just 500m down the road you'll find one of... no, scratch that... the best restaurant in South Africa.

Fine food and wine at Uitsig

Voted Restaurant of the Year four times in the last six years, you simply haven't dined in Cape Town until you've sampled the mouth-watering French cuisine at La Colombe. The menu — written up in French on blackboards... don't worry, your waiter will translate if you can't parlez — changes daily according to what's fresh, and pays homage to the cuisine of Provence, where rich, textured sauces reign supreme and add life to oven-roasted duck, fresh seafood and epicurean delights such as foie gras and quail.

Fine dining in a relaxed setting at La Colombe.
Set around a tranquil courtyard it's less formal than what you'd expect for the price, but don't be deceived; La Colombe offers all the five-star service of a fine dining restaurant, but without the stuffiness and pretension. If the leather-bound tome of a wine-list looks too daunting there's a friendly wine steward on hand to guide you through the impressive range of cultivars, estates and vintages on offer. The best reds tend to come from further afield, but if you're in the mood for white wine you certainly can't go wrong with a semillon or chardonnay from the excellent range of Uitsig wines.

Fine dining of this calibre doesn't come cheap (expect to pay about R300 per head without wine), but for lovers of fine food and wine it's an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Stay the night...

If you can't bear to drive home after such a feast, make sure you plan ahead and book one of the cosy garden suites at the Uitsig Country Hotel, just a stone's throw from the restaurant and the perfect place to spend the night after a day of winelands wandering.

Uitsig's cosy cottages are clustered around the lush gardens.
Stylishly furnished in a colourful Provençal style, complete with all the modern comforts you'd expect of a luxury country hotel, the 16 rooms have the feeling of an old farm homestead, surrounded by pastoral paddocks and the vineyards of this award-winning wine farm. Shaded by giant oaks, bordered by lush gardens and with a flock of muttering ducks completing the picture, it's not hard to imagine yourself on a distant winelands estate, rather than a working farm on the fringes of South Africa's second largest city.

After a La Colombe feast, a laid-back breakfast the next morning at the light and airy Spaanschemat River Cafe (the third, and most casual, of Uitsig's restaurants) is the perfect way to ease back into the throng of the Mother City. If you're feeling decadent, the Chardonnay Breakfast — a glass of unwooded chardonnay coupled with smoked salmon and perfect eggs benedict — is proof indeed that bubbly isn't always best with breakfast.

Whether it's a light lunch or gourmet dinner, an overnight stay or just an afternoon foray into the winelands, save yourself the drive out to Franschhoek or Stellenbosch and take a drive through the historic estates of Constantia instead.

    For more info…
  • Visit the Constantia Uitsig website for more information on the Constantia Uitsig Hotel, La Colombe and the Spaanschemat River Café. The estate also boasts the widely acclaimed Constantia Uitsig restaurant which offers Italian-inspired cuisine. La Colombe is regularly booked up weeks in advance, so make sure you plan ahead, especially in high season.
  • To find out more about the estates in this historic wine valley, visit www.constantiawineroute.co.za.