Around Cape Town and in the Cape Winelands, you will find wonderful wine walks where you discover several estates on foot, taste wine and learn more about the history of South African wine along the way. Two of the finest wine walks are:

the historic wine walk in Constantia
the culinary wine walk in Franschhoek

Both regions have a completely distinct atmosphere and story, and complement each other perfectly during a trip through South Africa.

Constantia: walking through the origins of South African wine

The green and historic Constantia Valley lies just outside Cape Town and is South Africa’s oldest wine region. This is where the South African wine tradition began more than three centuries ago.

If you do not have time to travel to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek during your stay in Cape Town, the Constantia Wine Walk is a perfect alternative.

The walk is approximately 6 kilometres long and passes:

historic wine estates
old oak avenues
rolling vineyards
mountain landscapes just outside the city

You need an average level of fitness for the walk.

The history of Constantia

The history of the valley began in 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck, on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, established a refreshment station at the Cape. Not long afterwards, the first vines were planted.However, the real development of viticulture began under Governor Simon van der Stel. In 1685, he founded the famous Constantia estate, laying the foundations for a wine tradition that would become known worldwide. After his death, the estate was divided into several domains, including Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia. Willem Adriaan van der Stel also later played an important role in the development of agriculture and viticulture at the Cape.

Groot Constantia & Vin de Constance

The walk usually starts at Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine estate. The historic Cape Dutch buildings and old wine cellars provide a wonderful insight into the region’s earliest wine production.

One of the absolute highlights of the walk is a visit to Klein Constantia, where the world-famous dessert wine Vin de Constance is produced. This wine was popular with European monarchs, writers and statesmen in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Even Nelson Mandela was served a glass of Vin de Constance during a visit to Klein Constantia, despite the fact that he almost never drank alcohol. During the walk, you will taste this famous wine yourself.

Buitenverwachting: elegant wines between the mountains

The third stop is often Buitenverwachting, beautifully situated among the mountains and vineyards of the valley. Today, the estate is best known for elegant white wines, a relaxed atmosphere and stunning views. Many wine walks end here with lunch or a cheese & charcuterie platter among the vineyards.

Franschhoek: the culinary heart of the Cape Winelands

Where Constantia is all about history, Franschhoek feels distinctly culinary, vibrant and French-inspired. Franschhoek literally means “French Corner” and was founded in the 17th century by French Huguenots who brought their winemaking expertise to South Africa. You can still see that influence today in the wine culture, gastronomy, architecture, restaurants and the atmosphere of the village

Franschhoek is now regarded as one of South Africa’s most iconic wine regions.

Walking among vineyards and mountain panoramas

The Franschhoek Wine Walk is approximately 6 kilometres long and passes several carefully selected wine estates in the valley. Along the way, you walk through rolling vineyards, past mountainous panoramas, along quiet country roads and between some of South Africa’s best-known estates

During the walk, you taste different wines and learn more about the development of South African wine, the influence of the French Huguenots and Franschhoek’s modern wine culture. The morning usually ends with an extensive cheese & charcuterie platter paired with a good glass of wine.

Which wine walk suits you best?

Groot Constantia & Vin de Constance

Buitenverwachting: elegant wines between the mountains

Franschhoek: the culinary heart of the Cape Winelands

Walking among vineyards and mountain panoramas

Which wine walk suits you best?

We have included the wine walks in our culinary journeys through the wine region, but of course you can also book them separately.

Wine walks in South Africa