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FREE GATEWAY EDITION 10 GUIDES 'Only the lips of a lover surpassed it in heavenly sweetness' Groot Nineteenth century poet, Charles Pierre Baudelaire, on visiting Constantia and tasting its . Cape Town • A good excuse for making wine had obtained the results, he put forward the request for his chosen area, The legacy of has its roots in one man who needed later to be called Constantia. to have a very good excuse to make wine. His mandate was to start a Here Van der Stel created his pride and joy, which became the showcase permanent replenishment station at the Cape, supplying fruit, vegetables of wine farms. Most of the layout of the farm we see today is Van der 2 and meat to passing ships en route to the Far East – all this under the Stel’s but the buildings have changed in appearance, from ones of red orders of the (DEIC or VOC). This man was face bricks and clinker bricks to beautiful neoclassical buildings under Jan van Riebeeck, who landed at Hendrik Cloete’s watch. 1 the Cape in 1652. The making of The story of Groot Constantia wine was never on the company's During Van der Stel’s time at Constantia (without his wife, who had including historical agenda, but any man of high remained in Holland) it is recorded that he held lavish parties, with standing knew that producing many well-known guests. On the business front he had a thriving wine information and other wine from one's own vineyard export business. interesting facts was the epitome of status. Within The last few years of his life were a a month, Van Riebeeck had sent A breathtaking view of Groot Constantia from one of its higher vineyards. The homestead can be seen just left of the centre; beyond is the Historical bath different story. His sons, Willem a letter to Holland explaining Constantia valley with the Cape Fold Mountains in the distance and False Bay and Muizenberg mountain on the right. Adriaan and Frans, were the need for vines. The reason Grass terrace 6 recalled from the that he came up with was that Cape for their wine was the best way to combat Simon’s Restaurant and events room extravagant The View @ The Terrace scurvy. Having a medical Untitled-2 1 2018/07/25 4:54 PM Simon’s Restaurant misuse CHART FARM of their Cellar tour, wine tasting and sales positions The homestead we see today is in the thanks to the restoration efforts Sundial garden Company. of Hendrik Cloete in 1792 and Willem Adriaan The only place where you can pick your own roses and then enjoy teas, the unplanned re-restoration in had succeeded his father as governor and cakes, breakfasts and lunches, with magnificent views of Constantia. 1925 by E K Kendall after P Chart Farm, Klaassens Road, , Wynberg • 34° 0’10.64”S 18°26’58.34”E 1 had taken self-enrichment to a devastating fire. The Terrace: +27 (0) 21 762-0067 • www.chartfarm.co.za a new level. He gave himself a f a r m , background, he had noted that Vergelegen, in with the use of European powers whose sailors Anreith’s stucco relief 600 Company slaves at no charge and engaged were given wine as part of SA FOREST ADVENTURES Cloete Cellar in unfair direct trade with the Company, their rations had a much lower Cape Town 5 undermining the other farmers in the Cape. His mortality rate. His request was The Jonkershuis with its beautiful bell-shaped gables (klokgewel) 4 undoing was coming up against far more Cape Town Ziplines Vespa granted and grape vines was built for the jonkheer, or oldest son of the farm owner, to live Rentals sophisticated free burghers, the result in. In the case of Groot Constantia, these buildings probably housed were duly sent. With the of the arrival of the Huguenots, 200 help of the Company's 11 slaves. The buildings were built in Van der Stel’s time but have Take the ride of your life! religious refugees from France, been altered over the years. gardener, Hendrik Boom, Hanepoot vineyard who were learned 4x4 drive into the mountain and his assistant, Jacob and skilled. Adam Tas, complained about Willem Adriaan’s behaviour, he had some 12 platforms Cloete van Kempen of them locked up in the Castle. Five of the ringleaders were deported to www.gatewayguides.co.za 7 155 Meters high (whose descendants 9 Jonkershuis (young man’s house) Restaurant Holland. There this new breed of farmers put their case before the Dutch 10 Longest ride: 500 meters became the cornerstone 1 East India Company: Willem Adriaan’s plans backfired and he found of the history of Groot Collection of old wagons and carts himself recalled instead. Constantia), the first vines were BIG 5 SAFARI & SPA planted in the Company's Garden. 2 Farm shed Before Simon van der Stel's death in 1712, he set These vines flourished even though many of his slaves free. He was extremely generous Real Africa. Real Close To Cape Town. Orientation Centre with one particular free slave. She was Francina Over 10 000-hectares of Big 5 conservancy. no one had a clue about viticulture. A larger site was needed to expand this Grutting, who had been born on the farm and important new project. lived there her whole life; he gave her 3000 was the next site chosen but this turned out to 12 guldens, half the governor’s linen and a bed with be too windy and the all its accessories. It is recorded that he died on 6 his beloved farm a lonely water in the vlei was too Replicas of the original cannon balls 021 795 0225• Silvermist Estate, Rd, Cape Town from the (1806) sad man with no family brackish. Van Riebeeck then Homestead are found on the top of this post. P turned his attention to the other around him. He is buried in BOOK ONLINE ONLY www.saforestadventures.co.za side of – to the banks of the Groote Kerk in Cape Town. A few years Hop-on, Hop-off City Sightseeing the in the area of today’s later, free burghers www.citysightseeing.co.za/wine-tour The years before the golden age Mowbray, and Newlands. had crossed the and In 1714 Constantia was divided up and sold. This area, when it came to growing vines, set up farms under the shadows of The property was split into and surpassed his expectations. By 1658 the 8 the Cape Fold Mountains. Van Riebeeck , both of which went to company farm, Boscheuvel, had its first left the Cape in 1662. Wine continued to the auctioneer, Pieter de Meijer, and the substantial vines growing. be made and consumed at the Cape but the P remainder, later called Groot Constantia, quality was dreadful because the grapes were went to Captain Oloff Bergh. Bergh had The oval bath has its At this time, released employees of the picked far too soon in order to prevent the birds worked for the Company and had been own scrolled gable with Company, called free burghers, were given eating them. In addition the long sea voyage adversely sentenced for theft and neglect of duties. a niche containing a small plots to farm in order to supply affected the wine; therefore the European wine drinkers found Werf (the grassy area around the farmhouse) With this background, it is understandable figure of Triton, flanked the Company. Most of these burgers had Farm manager's house it generally unpalatable. Before the founder of Groot Constantia that he did nothing to improve his newly by pilasters and two their own vines. The life of a free burgher B arrived at the Cape 17 years after Van Riebeeck, there was a slow acquired farm. He is better known built-in benches. was not easy and many went back to the service of the Company. The arrival of 200 decline on all levels; the small colony was in disarray and the wine for his marriage to Anna de 4-STAR ACCOMMODATION | SPA slaves in 1658 not only altered the demographics of the Cape but also industry was in a sad state. 3 Koningh, an extremely GAME DRIVE | HORSEBACK & QUAD BIKE SAFARI helped take the farmers and the Company to a new level. All the grapes beautiful woman who No excuse for making bad wine At the award-winning Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa, guests will get the at the Cape were used as table grapes until Van Riebeeck, in 1659, was the daughter of opportunity to experience a Big 5 safari, together with outstanding service; it just made the first wine at the Cape. It was not the best-tasting wine but it The minute Commander Simon van der Stel stepped off the ship in Table Batavian slaves. does not get any better than this. With game drives, quad bike and horseback Bay (1679), the fortunes of the Cape changed. He was a highly competent, After Bergh's safaris situated just 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town, it’s the closest you will get to was wine made by his own hands, which pleased him immensely. learned and busy man. He was the son of a mixed marriage and hailed death, Anna real Africa, in the lap of luxury. from the Island of Mauritius. His re-organizing of the owned the The world-class spa at Aquila adds to the already exceptional facilities and 8 7 Hollow oak tree services on offer. It is a masterpiece of luxury, defined by its serenity and creative Cape started with a visit to the Hottentots-Holland with farm for the not allowed Wine tasting and sales use of natural elements. a chance detour to an area loosely called Wildebosch, next ten to profit by located at the new entrance where he founded a free burgher settlement and called years. After using his position it Stellenbosch, a name that has become synonymous she had in any way. Free burghers with the wine industry of South Africa. At first the sold the were granted only fifty hectares free burghers who produced wine did not want to farm, it for their farms. Van der Stel managed follow his advice on methods of grape cultivation changed to acquire a 750-hectare grant in 1685 from and winemaking. His new ideas included leaving hands the visiting commissioner, Hendrik Adriaan van Reede the grapes on the vine for as long as possible, new several FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES tot Drakenstein, as a result of encouragement from 4-STAR ESTABLISHMENT | PREMIER, FAMILY & LUXURY COTTAGES | LODGE ROOMS | DAY TRIP processing methods and promotion of hygiene. SAFARI | HORSEBACK SAFARI | QUAD BIKE SAFARI | STAR SAFARI | OVERNIGHT SAFARI | FLY-IN Commissioner Van Goens; in thanks, Van der Stel However, with the first favourable export of wine Within one SAFARI | WINE TASTING | INDOOR & OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS | OUTDOOR POOL | WET BAR named Constantia after Van Goens’s granddaughter. CIGAR LOUNGE | CONFERENCE CENTRE | SPA | CURIO SHOP | CHILDREN’S FACILITIES & from Van der Stel’s vineyard to Holland, the farmers generation they had Original entrance gate JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMME This grant was extended to 8500 hectares for grazing started following his methods. assimilated well with the rights. Before asking for this grant, Van der Stel had Dutch and had elevated the www.aquilasafari.com AquilaSafari AquilaSafaris Van der Stel has been recorded as being extremely good done an extensive survey of soil samples throughout simple farmer to head of his own at enriching the and his own pocket in The back of the homestead with the Peninsula. These samples were sent to Holland for manor. When the free burghers, under +27 (0)21 430 7260 or [email protected] equal measure. As an employee of the VOC he was the door into the agterkamer testing to find the best site for a wine farm. Once he To advertise, contact Hayley Burger: 021 487 1200 • [email protected] Please support our advertisers who make this free guide possible. Other Constantia Valley Wine Farms and Manor Houses 12 4 Basic Information on Cape Dutch Gables

Steenberg 5 Wolfsneus Gable Steenberg, known as Swaaneweide in ‘Wolf’s nose’ gables were the first front 1682, is almost certainly the oldest gables to be designed and built as a farm in the Constantia valley, even functional ‘eyebrow’ over a dormer window older than Groot Constantia. In the (to provide light for the loft) above the front early days table grapes were its main door. From this humble gable, based on the export. The history of this farm is medieval architecture of the Netherlands, virtually inseparable from that of a the style of Cape Dutch gables grew into formidable woman, Trijn Ras. The ’s 1791 Rococo-style stucco relief of Ganymede, cup-bearer to the gods, with cherubs adorns the Cloete Cellar pediment. one of the most recognisable ‘settler’ homestead we see today was built in 1740. Since 1988 Steenberg has architectures in the world. VOTED THE BEST been known for its upmarket golf estate, restaurants and . SOUTH AFRICAN In 1795 the British took control of the Cape after a short battle at acceptance. Louis Philippe of France sent emissaries to the Cape to buy his RESTAURANT IN THE 1756 Bolbol Gable WORLD Tokai Manor Muizenberg. At first, the burghers were very unfriendly to their new wine; the King of Prussia was also on his order books. Napoleon Bonaparte, The avenue of oak trees leading up to the oval pool By the mid-1750s, the gables at the Cape This farm was once part of Simon Jacob was riding high at this time, but just as the war in Europe had benefited times, coming into the possession of Jan Serrurier who was once the masters, but the burghers had to sign an oath of allegiance to the British exiled on the island of St Helena, ordered it by the caseload, and it is said had reached their full height, a reflection of Traditional South African menu with Cape Malay influences. van der Stel’s vast estate and was Award-winning wines and the best view in Cape Town. at the Castle or face deportation. Some Anglo-Dutch friendships did that while he lay dying, his last request was for a glass of Constantia wine. the Cape wine farmers and made them rich, peace between Britain and the prosperity of the time. From then, gables used for grazing cattle and sheep. In owner of Alphen. He owned Constantia for 11 months but did not make France, which came about at the end of the Napoleonic wars, made them would be defined by whether the edge was 1792 its new owner planted vineyards a success of it, owing to hail damage, which resulted in a poor crop. develop, as in the case of and Hendrik Cloete. The So popular was Constantia wine that Jane Austen ‘name dropped’ it in her concave or convex in shape. In the case of and named it after his home region British left the Cape for a short time after Britain and Holland had signed novel, Sense and Sensibility; Charles Dickens made reference to Constantia poorer. France once again exported wine to Britain, cutting the Cape out of this early gable type, there was a distinct in Hungary, Tokaj. By 1796 the However, the fortunes of Constantia were about to change. In fact, the a peace treaty. During this time, the wine farmers experienced a slump in wine in his writings too, and famous poets sang its praises. the market by price and location. To save the wine industry in the Cape, the repeat of the rounded convex shape. homestead had been built, designed fortunes of the wine industry throughout the Cape were to see 50 years export sales and had to rely on local sales and passing ships. British government in 1825 placed heavy tariffs on French wine; this seemed by the famous architect, Louis Michel of unprecedented success and prosperity. to give the Cape farmers a reprieve. 1834 was Thibault. The most well-known story (1802) associated with this 1790 Holbol Gable Perfect wine, golden years the year of the emancipation of the slaves, homestead is that of the ghosts of a horse and rider which have their which affected the farmers not just financially By the end of the 1700s, the gables at origins in a disastrous New Year party that went horribly wrong In 1778 Hendrik Cloete, one of the Cape’s Neoclassical rounded pediment A niche containing Anreith’s figure of Abundance Ornamental 2016 • 2017 2018 • 2019 The original roofs of Cape Dutch houses End gable but politically; the result was the beginning of the Cape were influenced by the when the rider and horse were killed descending the steep steps. Tokai largest landowners and a successful wine vases placed style, which meant many more decorative Shop 156, The Wharf Centre, V&A Waterfront • Tel: (021) 421 7005/6 were thatched. On many farms these roofs were Casement window the Great Trek by many Cape farmers. is to become the headquarters of the Table Mountain National Park farmer, bought Constantia. This was the With Hendrik Cloete’s restoration in 1792, on platforms elements, swirls and flourishes, but the www.kariburestaurant.co.za and be transformed into a multipurpose 'gateway' to the park. replaced with corrugated iron, partly as a result beginning of the Cloete dynasty which was the sash windows were made larger than the just below the The final nail in the coffin, to end the golden defining feature that set this gable type of the Victorian trend, and because they were less apart from the bolbol style was the mix Wall anchor normal size found on other farms; this was bow pediment Alphen to span five generations and would put Cape likely to catch fire. years of wine farming in the Cape, was a of convex and concave edges. This estate, once part of the Constantia wines on the world map. These wines were of done for reasons of proportion. disastrous fungal disease that swept through Estate, was portioned off after the such high standing and unique taste that they Thatched the wine-farming communities in 1872. Jacob’s death of its owner, Simon van der Stel. Fluted pilaster Soldier window Scroll gable-cap financial situation took such a bad knock The beautiful manor house was built were drunk by kings and noblemen. roofs require Neo-classical Gable TANDEM 50 degrees that he was declared insolvent. He managed This was the last of the Cape Dutch in 1753. After a number of owners, Cloete was an excellent winemaker but history it became the property of the former to remain to keep the farm, which he gave to his son, gable styles before the Second British SKYDIVING also played a part in his success and that of owners of Groot Constantia, the Cloete waterproof Hendrik, who then gave it to his son, Freddie. Occupation of the Cape in 1806. The style the wine industry at the Cape. During the last could be defined as singularly elegant, EVERYDAY family, and remained under their Hendrik, probably still in shock from what had (weather permitting) control for over 150 years. Many stories of buried secrets, spies, half of the 18th century, the politics of Europe restrained and dignified, with minimal happened to his father, left for Europe on a ten- only 35 minutes drive pistol duels, cross-dressers, fiddlers and the enigmatic Dr James played a major role. The French Revolutionary ornamentation between the gable edges. from Cape Town CBD year quest to study and find solutions to fungal Gable-caps might contain urns. More than Barry make this a remarkable place to visit. Today the estate consists wars and the Napoleonic wars cut off the flow problems in viticulture. likely the concave shape was used and, in +27 (0)82 800 6290 • [email protected] • www.skydivecapetown.co.za of a pub, hotel and residential and commercial components. of wine from France, and the Cape became a 1 some cases, a straight edge. A strongly Constantia Uitsig new source of wine for England (a new wine- The end and a new beginning defined pediment and pilaster are defining This estate was also once part of Simon drinking country) and other European powers. In 1885 Groot Constantia was sold by features. The pediment could be triangular, van der Stel’s (Groot) Constantia. At this stage, the Dutch East India Company public auction for £5000 and was bought rounded or sculpted. Uitsig, which was called Constantia The Cape Town City Tour View until 1940, was the home of the was in decline, never to recover. by the Cape government to be used as an experimental wine farm. This new institution Basic Cape Dutch house plan development Visit 5 of the mother city’s iconic landmarks Lategan family for five generations. The The new wealth resulting from the export of homestead was built in 1894. In 1988 was run by Baron Carl von Babo who, on with our informative guide. End a memorable wine was reflected in the homes of the farmers. Basic Oblong and L-Plan the McCays restored the farm to its his arrival at the farm, could not believe The first houses at the Cape were simple three- day with a meal at Karibu Restaurant. Homesteads became bigger; the once simple Voorkamer former glory. Uitsig now boasts award- that grapes were still pressed by labourers' roomed houses, with utilitarian end gables to oblong houses changed into bigger U-plans, winning wines, a restaurant and a private cricket oval. This estate is feet. That same year, the dreaded phylloxera hold the thatch in place. At a later date an This includes: now under new management so please inquire about what they offer. T-plans and H-plans. The most obvious feature was added to form an L. √ Tranport epidemic, which had ravaged vineyards afdak reflecting the new-found wealth was the use √ Table Mountain Klein Constantia around the world, finally arrived at the Cape, Basic U-Plan This wine farm was once part of the of embellished gables. Fashions in Europe Within 20 years, the L-Plan was repeated on the √ Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens starting on a farm at Mowbray. It did not √ The original Groot Constantia farm that influenced the design of the gables at the Agterkamer other side of the house, forming a U-shape. The take long for it to spread to other vineyards The Slave Lodge was subdivided in 1824. The house Cape but a unique local flair was added, courtyard between these two rooms was roofed √ throughout the Cape. Groot Constantia did Voorkamer √ The V&A Waterfront was more than likely built by the first as the craftsmen (mostly from the Far East) over, forming an agterkamer. Rooms were Hendrik Cloete in the 1790s. It was The homestead we see today is the result of the restoration efforts of Hendrik Cloete in 1792. He doubled the width of the previous roof and thatched it. The height of the roof was doubled to not escape the scourge, which meant new added at the back. √ 3 course meal at Karibu: sold by Anna Cloete to her son in were ex-slaves and tradesmen whose cultural voted the best South African keep the 50 degree rule. One metre was added to the height of the exterior walls to keep the right architectural proportions, thus requiring larger sash windows. Because of the new height vines, grafted onto American disease-resistant 1819 but passed out of the family for a influence crept into the designs. Hendrik restaurant in the world. of the roof, a much taller gable, the tallest seen at the Cape, was required to keep the proportions correct. This new neoclassical gable, influenced by those in Amsterdam and Flanders, was stock, were planted. An advantage of the Basic T-Plan few years, returning to them in 1870. Cloete plastered and white-washed Van der While the U-Plan was developing in Cape Town, Klein Constantia saw many more owners and changes in fortune. known by many names, such as Slender gable, Cape Flemish gable, Straight Amsterdam gable, Peninsula Cape Flemish gable, or just Peninsula gable. need to replant was that rows were made Stel’s red face brick house. He kept the layout Agterkamer the T-Plan was evolving in the rural areas. This Klein Constantia is also home to a famous kramat (shrine) where wider in accordance with modern practice. of the farm buildings but renovated them in design consists of a voorkamer, agterkamer, one of the pioneers of Islam at the Cape is buried. Voorkamer R2550.00 per person the Cape Dutch style. He added the large wine cellar behind the manor Within seven years, the British were again at war with their old enemy What made Groot Constantia wine so different? What was the secret? The For 40 years the farm experienced no major commercial problems, but a kitchen at the end with a built-in chimney and and were back at the Cape after a short battle at Blaauwberg. Again, the two front rooms off the side of thevoorkamer . Book Now: [email protected] Buitenverwachting house, sparing no money. He probably used the most celebrated architect of renowned botanist William Burchell, who visited the farm in 1811, explained in 1925 all this changed with one little spark. The homestead was wine trade benefited, with France once more not trading wine with Britain. in his writing the methods used. The vines at Constantia were kept as dwarf Call Now: 00 27 21 487 1209 or (meaning ‘beyond expectation’) the time, , and had Anton Anreith create the stucco relief destroyed within hours by a fire that started from a spark from the Whats App 00 27 (0) 76 408 4185 This is an extremely beautiful above the front door of the wine cellar. He raised the manor house by making At this time, Hendrik Cloete died and his son, also named Hendrik, took bushes and the grapes were allowed to hang on the vine close to the ground. kitchen chimney. Virtually everything was destroyed except the walls Basic H-Plan wine farm, the house on which was the ground floor into cellars, over the farm. He was just as successful as his father and his red and white This allowed the heat off the ground to affect the grapes and give them a and gables. A team under the architect F K Kendall, a one-time associate The ultimate design developed in the country in https://xplorecapetown.co.za/the-cape-town-city-tour/ completed in 1796. This farm was once the form of extending the T-Plan by adding two 3 the old first floor becoming the higher sugar content. The branches were twisted to reduce nutritional flow, of Sir Herbert Baker, who was Cecil Rhodes’ architect, undertook a Agterkamer part of Bergvliet farm, which, in turn, wines were well received and acknowledged overseas. When he died, his rooms off the back room. This design developed ground floor. The ground in front wife, Anna Catherina, ran the farm for six years until her son, Jacob Pieter, the result being a richer, sweeter quality. Grapes were left on the vine as long meticulous restoration, the was part of (Groot) Constantia. It was Voorkamer when the Cape started to enjoy prosperity. 1 also owned at one stage by a Cloete of the house was built up to was old enough to take over. During his tenure, the farm was first known as possible, to the point of allowing the grapes to shrivel, making the juice end result being what we who had invested a great deal of money accommodate this change. The as Groot Constantia; this was to distinguish it from his brother’s farm, almost a syrup. Finally, wines were always blended. The result of all these see today. One positive thing in slaves but lost his farm as, a few years later, slavery was abolished. house was widened and the roof Klein Constantia. This was at a time when its wines had unprecedented methods was an incomparable sweet full-bodied dessert wine. that the fire did was to reveal This farm has undergone changes of fortune and had many owners, made higher. Then he added a details about the house How to get there notably the Lategan family. The farm and restaurant are worth a visit. 9 10 11 most beautiful neoclassical gable before Cloete’s restoration ToCape Town Nova Constantia of the rare halsgewel type that in 1792. The homestead was This perfect small neoclassical was taller than any in the Cape. refurnished as a result of the To Hout Bay homestead, designed by Louis Michel generosity of Alfred Aaron Thibault, shows that when it comes In 1780 war was declared Alphen to wine farms, big is not always the de Pass. M41 between Britain and France. Constantia most beautiful. Nova Constantia Because the Cape was under The government handed over Village was once part of (Groot) Constantia, Constantia Dutch control and therefore allied the farm to an independent Constantia then a part of Bergvliet and then Constantia Main Rd Main Rd a division of Buitenverwachting. with France, a year later a large trust in 1993 and since then Ladies Mile Rd This small homestead has changed French force arrived at the Cape it has been run as a profit- M41 hands many times and has had mixed fortunes. It was restored by to defend it against the British. making business, to which businesses for use as offices, but since 1993 it has again been used Van der Stel planted thousands of Cape Winelands Tour During their short stay, Cape visitors have free access that as a private home. oak trees, but because of the Cape Kendal Rd River Rd Town was known as ‘Little Paris’ – enables them to enjoy this at Spend a day with us in the beautiful Cape The neoclassical gable of the Groot Constantia Rd m weather, they grew too fast, making e h Other manor houses and wine farms of the Constantia valley: c Winelands. Taste some of the Cape’s one can just imagine the amount special part of our heritage s To Muizenberg halsgewel style with a niche n their wood useless for carpentry. They Groot Constantia a Eagle's Nest, Bergvliet, Witteboomen, Silverhurst, Bel Ombre, Rust en a award winning wines and absorb the

Groot Constantia p of local wine consumed, to the and buy wines with a long containing Anreith’s figure S Vrede, Claasenbosch, De Hoop op Constantia and High Constantia were, however, useful for windbreaks history of an age-old tradition. and very pleasing on the eye. delight of the local farmers. The homestead was refurnished as a gift by Alfred Aaron de Pass Cellars under the homestead Cloete Cellar with Iziko museum history. of Abundance What happens on a wine farm through the year For More Information This includes: √ Transport in luxury vehicle Sources √ Qualified Guide Cape Dutch Houses by Phillida Brooke Simons and Alain Proust √ A visit to vineyards in , The Great Houses of Constantia by Dane Wallace Franschhoek and Stellenbosch by John Kench, Phyllis Hands and David Hughes √ Wine tastings www.grootconstantia.co.za Groot Constantia: Tel: 021 794 5128 • Fax: 021 794 1999 Email: [email protected] Open: Seven days a week, including public holidays January February March April May June July August September October November December Closed only on Good Friday and Christmas Day. R1450.00 per person Early varieties of grapes are Aeration of the grapes is By the end of March, the Soil is prepared before winter. Soils for new plantings are In new vineyards, different Weather permitting, cleaning Grafted vines for new New vineyards are watered Second ploughing is done. Weed control is done if Minimum cultivation takes Wine tasting: 09h00 – 17h30 (sales until 18h00). beginning to ripen. Irrigation of the utmost importance. crop has been brought in. Sown cover crops are grown. fully prepared. Preparation trellises are chosen and and ploughing takes place vineyards are put in now. if dry. Missing vines are Young vines are attached to required. Vines need moisture place. Irrigation is important Book Now: [email protected] Cellar tours: every hour on the hour from 10h00 – 16h00. of young vines takes place. Fertiliser for next season is Irrigation takes place to stop Contouring, piping and for pruning is underway. erected according to different around the vines. Blocks are The spring fertilisation is replaced. Cleaning around pegs to form a straight line. for sufficient growth and leaf during this hot month. Call Now: 00 27 21 487 1209 or Weeds growing close to the planned. Vines are selected for deformation and allows the ditches are constructed or Pruning is started as soon conditions. At the end of this planned and laid out for new applied. Cover crops are vines is done. On windless Dead vines are replaced. Insect surface. Slight topping takes The main shoots of young Thanks to: Matthys van der Merwe of Iziko for his assistance Whats App 00 27 (0) 76 408 4185 vines must be eradicated. grafting. Grapes are harvested wood to mature properly. inspected. Biological control as the leaves have fallen and month, final pruning of some vineyards. Gaps of missing ploughed in. The vines will days dusting of vines is done control is undertaken. In place. Trellised vines need trellised vines are tied up. Shelley Brown for editorial input Equipment for the pressing throughout the month to a fixed All undesirable grass is methods are used to eliminate preferably after a good rain to vine types is started. vines are filled in a year after start growing. Lime sulphur to prevent diseases that could trellised vineyards, the shoots their shoots tied up. Spraying against insects and Xplorecapetown.co.za/cape-wine-tour-e70-00/ season is prepared. plan according to their type. destroyed. undesirable insects. prevent dry wounds. Ant control also takes place. planting the vineyard. is applied as necessary. destroy the vines. are removed from the stem. diseases is imperative. © Richard Smith • 10th edition, 2020 • Redcarpet Advertising To advertise, contact Hayley Burger: 021 487 1200 • [email protected]