The Constantia Valley is a colorful valley in Cape in South Africa filled with numerous hills, forests, and historical vineyards in the regions of the famous Constantia Mountain.
It is just less than 30 minutes outside of Cape Town’s city bowl. The affluent valley is famous for its vineyards and wine farms, although there are also numerous hiking routes with horse trails for active adventurers.
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A Brief History Of The Valley
In 1685, Governor Simon van der Stel was given a farm by a commissioner known as Simon van der Stel.
And to show gratitude, he decided to name the farm after the daughter of the commissioner who gifted him the property. The name of the little girl was Constanza.
Simon van der Stel immediately began to utilize his property as he started planting orchards and vineyards in a grand style.
Almost immediately, his vineyards began to grow in popularity for producing very delicious fruits and wine.
Many people (even in subsequent centuries) started trooping towards the mountain to have a taste of the uniqueness of the space.
Groot Constantia soon became the birthplace of wine in South Africa, with Simon van der Stel being the rightful owner of the place.
After he died in 1712 however, the place was divided. Then, another landowner known as Hendrik Cloete bought Groot Constantia in 1778, and it became his family’s property until a natural epidemic forced the family to sell the property to the government in the 1880s.
Some parts of Groot Constantia were taken out as separate properties (Bergvliet, then Hoop of Constantia and Witteboomen).
The British army took over the place at some point, with resistance from Napoleon. And even after the Frenchman was banished to the island of St. Helena, wines from Constantia were still supplied to his household.
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, there were numerous Muslim slaves brought to the Cape to work to build the settlement, particularly by powerful leaders from the east.
There are several links between the old Cape families, and their lives became intertwined.
However, in the mid-twentieth century, the farms were beginning to be broken up by factors such as encroaching urbanization.
Who manages the Constantia Valley?
Groot Constantia today is independently managed by the Board of Groot Constantia, while KLEIN Constantia belongs to Charles Harman and Zdeněk Bakala. Buitenverwachting (which was part of the Bergvliet section) is managed today by Lars Maack (the stepson of a German industrialist known as Richard Mueller who bought the farm in 1980).
Also, while Constantia Uitsig is now owned by a prominent businessman from the Cape called Pieter Erasmus), Steenberg (which used to belong to a woman called Catharina Ras in 1682), is owned by the Beck family today.
Valley is today, also utilized as a tourist attraction in South Africa where people around the world enjoy visiting to have a taste of exceptional wines in the several lovely wine estates at the Constantia valley.
Why Constantia Valley is Famous?
The Constantia Valley is famous for its outstanding wines and has been attracting the attention of the world from one generation to another – including historic legends like Napoleon and Churchill.
What Makes Constantia Valley Special
The Constantia Valley is well-known around the world for being a prominent wine-producing area and one of the oldest of its kind with nothing less than ten wine farms.
The Valley is also popular for being a reasonably safe area where wine lovers embark on tours to partake in wine tastings at the farms.
Where is it located?
Constantia Valley is located in the Western Cape province, very close to Cape Town. The Valley is just less than 30 minutes outside of Cape Town’s city bowl.
Can animals be found in Constantia Valley?
The Constantia Valley is majorly about its wines and wine estates, but few animals can be found in different parts of the Valley and its surrounding regions – including Baboons, Caracal, Cape Eagle Owls, and Ducks
What is the entry fee to Constantia Valley?
Tourists interested in sightseeing can explore Constantia Valley for free, irrespective of where they are from.
However, if you are going to be touring different tourist venues such as iSimangaliso Park and Kgalagadi National Park, you should know that entry fees apply.
What is the nearest airport to Constantia Valley?
Cape Town International Airport is the nearest airport to the valley. Once you arrived at Cape Town International Airport, it takes just 30 minutes to get to the Valley.
Travel advisory to the Valley
The Constantia Valley is reasonably safe and devoid of terrible crimes. However, whenever you are engaging any of its venues and facilities (the shopping centers, restaurants, lodges, etc) ensure you adhere to basic security measures.
Conclusion
Constantia Valley has been attracting the attention of the world from one generation to another, and, interestingly, the area is still a hot hub where everyone can visit for almost any purpose of their choice – relaxation, adventure, luxury, etc.
At Constantia Valley, you are not only limited to tasting some of the best wines in the world, but you can engage in other activities such as hiking, horse riding, ziplining, etc.