CONSTANTIA

Constantia Valley derived its name from the estate, named by Simon van der Stel after Constantia, daughter of Commissioner Rijkloff van Goens. It is also been stated that Constantia was the daughter of Baron van Rheede, Commissioner of the Dutch East India Company, who granted the estate to Vander Stel on 31 July 1685.

Groot Constantia

Groot Constantia, Groot Constantia Rd - The manor house was built by Simon van der Stel 1n 1692. Van der Stel stayed here until his death in 1712. The farm then was divided. After his death it became the property of Oloff Bergh and became known as Groot Constantia. Thereafter it became the property of Hendrik Cloete in 1778. From 1789-1792 Cloete employed Thibault and Anreith to rebuild the house and wine cellar in its present form. It was destroyed by fire on 19 December 1925 but was restored in 1926-27 by architect FK Kendall. It was declared a National Monument on 17 April 1936.

Plaque

Plaque – erected to commemorate 350 years of viticulture and viniculture in South Africa. On 2nd February 1659 the diary of the VOC commander recorded that wine was made in the Cape for the first time. The stone was unveiled at Groot Constantia, SA oldest wine producing farm on 2nd February 2009.

Jonkershuis Groot Constantia
Jonkershuis Groot Constantia – and outbuildings. Now used as a restaurant and wine tasting centre. Circa 1790