WHERE TO EAT on the Constantia Wine Route, on a farm, among the vines? And which wines to seek out, what has been highly recommended by the panels of experts?

For lunch, you could consider the new venues: Steenberg’s Tryn (main dining area pictured above) has various general indoor, outdoor and private fine-dining spaces, a bar and a menu featuring classical dishes prepared with a touch of Asian and Middle Eastern flair; whereas Constantia Uitsig’s Blockhouse Kitchen (pictured below) offers hearty classics, more generous portions and is child-friendly.

Alternatively, there’ Bistro Sixteen82 and its water features at Steenberg or the super-casual Nest Deli at Uitsig, the Buitenverwachting restaurant, picnics and Coffee Bloc or The Bistro and deck at Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia’s Jonkershuis and Simon’s, indoors or under the oaks, the very busy Constantia Glen or the award-winning Chefs Warehouse of Beau Constantia and La Colombe at the organic wine estate of Silvermist, where there’s also the more modest Green Vine Eatery.

As for the wines, the panels’ favourites are given below – excluding wines available only on auction, own-labels not readily available, export-only wines and those long sold out.

 

TOP RATED WHITES IN 2019/18

Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Constantia Glen Two 2017 (Blend)

Constantia Royale Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Nova Zonnestraal)

Constantia Uitsig Natura Vista 2017 (Blend)
Constantia Uitsig Semillon 2017

Eagles’ Nest Viognier 2018

Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2018
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2017
Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Klein Constantia Metis Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Klein Constantia Perdeblokke Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Rousseau Grace Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Rousseau Sacharia Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Steenberg Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Steenberg Magna Carta Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2017
Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Steenberg Sphynx Chardonnay 2018

Van Wyk Olivia Grace 2017 (Blend)

 

TOP RATED SPARKLERS IN 2019/18

Aristea Rosé 2016 (MCC)

Groot Constantia Brut Rosé 2017 (MCC)

Klein Constantia Brut 2011 (MCC)

Steenberg 1682 Pinot Noir Brut NV  (MCC, Rosé)
Steenberg Lady R Méthode Cap Classique 2012

 

TOP RATED REDS IN 2019/18

Beau Constantia Aidan 2015 (Blend)
Beau Constantia Lucca 2016 (Blend)
Beau Constantia Stella 2017 (Shiraz)

Buitenverwachting Christine 2012 (Blend)

Constantia Glen Five 2015 (Blend)
Constantia Glen Three 2015 (Blend)

Eagles’ Nest Merlot 2015
Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2015

Groot Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2017
Groot Constantia Merlot 2016
Groot Constantia Pinotage 2016
Groot Constantia Shiraz 2016

Klein Constantia‘s Anwilka 2015 (Blend)
Klein Constantia Estate Red 2016

Rousseau Babette 2015 (Blend)

 

TOP RATED SWEETS IN 2019/18

Buitenverwachting ‘1769’ 2016 (Noble Late Harvest)

Constantia Nectar Natural Sweet 2009 (Huis-In-Bos)

Groot Constantia Cape Ruby 2016 (Port, Fortified)
Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2016 (Natural Sweet)

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet 2015

 

• For info about contact details, addresses, wine tastings and pairings as well as the costs thereof at the top cellars in Constantia, click here. Prices of highly rated vintages during the past two years given here.
• For the best track records over the past 10 years, see the SA Wine Classification.