What Is South Africa’s Oldest Wine Farm?

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What is South Africa’s oldest wine farm?

What is South Africa’s oldest wine farm? Established more than 330 years ago, Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate, (est: 1685)

Groot Contantia is  Situated 20 minutes from the Cape Town CBD and one of Cape Town’s Big 6 tourist attractions and is a must visit for the whole family. 

This historic estate also has two outstanding restaurants, Jonkershuis and Simon’s, wine tastings, chocolate and wine pairing, cellar tours and a museum that reminds one of a bygone era.

The Constantia Wine Tour company, has  a team of wine loving enthusiasts and enjoy sharing their knowledge of South Afric’s oldest wine region.

History of Groot Constantia

GOVERNOR SIMON VAN DER STEL OF THE DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY (VOC)

Arrived at the Cape supply station in 1679. Simon van der Stel was estranged from his wife when he arrived in Cape Town it was in the company of his children and sister-in-law, Cornelia Six. 

Van der Stel had gained a solid background in viticulture back in the Netherlands, at his vineyards in Muiderbergh. He soon started to implant his knowledge on the fledgling estate in the Cape.

COMMISSIONER RIJCKLOFF VAN GOENS

It was recommended by Van Goens, a former governor of Ceylon and Council Member of The Chamber of Seventeen, the governing body of the VOC, that land should be granted to Simon van der Stel.  

Van der Stel received title to 891 morgen (about 763 hectares) on 13th July 1685.

VAN DER STEL NAMED HIS FARM CONSTANTIA

There is a bit of uncertainty about the origin of the name Constantia, it was first  thought that Van der Stel named the farm after Van Goens’ daughter in recognition of his help and support in obtaining the farmland. There is also a  theory that the farm was named after the VOC ship “Constantia”. However, it is most likely that he named the farm after the Latin word for constancy or steadfastness, attributes that Van der Stel valued greatly and which he wanted to embody on his new farm.

Listen to more about Constantia and its history in the About the Winelands Podcast recording, below.

Learn More About Groot Constantia: – https://grootconstantia.co.za/

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