The entrance to the Constantia Glen wine estate is understated – the gates on the side of the busy Constantia Main Road do little to reveal the secrets of wine and wine tastings that take place behind them. I followed the road through the gates, climbed higher and higher and watched as the road changed from pavement to red earth, and my surroundings changed from suburbia to vineyards. At the top of the drive, tall trees lent shade and I could take in the first glimpse of the view all the way to the Helderberg Moutains in Stellenbosch – where I would normally land up for a spot of wine tasting.
But for those in the know, the ‘secret’ of Constantia Glen’s wine tasting room seems like one that will not last for long. Just a 20-minute drive from the Cape Town City Bowl, it’s a stunning escape to the country in Cape Town’s backyard. Tables are set on a shady verandah perched on the edge of the land before it spills into the Constantia Valley below. The vines curve and wind their way down in dramatic lines while the Constantiaberg Mountains rise above forming an amphitheater that frames the view.
With a location closer to Cape Town than Stellenbosch and with the stunning setting, Constantia Glen was the perfect choice for me to spend an afternoon catching up with old friends. We enjoyed a wine tasting – from classic Sauvignon Blancs to Bordeaux-style red blends – before settling on a glass each. We also ordered the traditional charcuterie platter which features fresh bread and artisanal salami, pancetta, prosciutto (and more) from the local gourmet, Cape Mountain Charcuterie. We were left to enjoy the wine, food, view and conversation and in all, it was a lovely time spent on top of the mountain.
