Most visitors assume "wine tour" automatically means Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. It's a reasonable assumption — but it overlooks a region that's arguably more convenient and every bit as historic: Constantia, paired with a scenic run out to Cape Point.
Why Constantia Deserves Its Own Day
Constantia is the oldest wine-producing region in the Southern Hemisphere, with vines first planted here in 1685. Unlike the Winelands proper, it sits within Cape Town's city limits — nestled against Table Mountain's southern slopes, a short drive from the city centre rather than an hour out of it.
The estates here have a different character to Stellenbosch's larger producers: smaller, older, and shaped by the cooler, maritime climate that made this valley famous for dessert wines in the 18th century (Constantia wine was reportedly a favourite of Napoleon during his exile). Today the region produces excellent Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon alongside those historic sweet wines.
Why Pair It With Cape Point
This is where the day becomes something more than a wine tour. Combining Constantia with a run down to Cape Point — the dramatic, windswept tip of the Cape Peninsula — turns the day into a full coastal experience: vineyard tastings in the morning, then some of the most scenic driving in South Africa in the afternoon, past Chapman's Peak, Boulders Beach's penguin colony, and the cliffs of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.
It's a pairing that works precisely because neither half competes with the other — you're not choosing between wine and scenery, you're getting both in a single, well-paced day.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
- Morning: Tasting at one or two historic Constantia estates
- Midday: A relaxed lunch, often with a vineyard or mountain view
- Afternoon: The drive out to Cape Point, with stops along the way at Boulders Beach and Chapman's Peak
- Late afternoon: Time at Cape Point itself before the drive back into the city
Who This Tour Suits
This is a particularly good fit for visitors who:
- Have limited time in Cape Town and don't want to lose half a day to Winelands travel
- Want to combine wine with the peninsula's coastal highlights rather than choosing one or the other
- Are travelling with a mix of wine enthusiasts and non-drinkers, since the coastal scenery gives everyone something to enjoy
Booking
Our Private Full Day Cape Point & Constantia Wine Experience is built specifically around this pairing — one guide, one vehicle, and a route sequenced to avoid the tour-bus crowds at Cape Point's peak hours.
Curious how this compares to a Stellenbosch or Franschhoek day? Read our guide to Cape Winelands wine tasting or get in touch and we'll help you choose.