Perched on the sunniest slopes of Cape Town’s Constantia Wine Valley, Constantia Glen is highly acclaimed for its cool climate Sauvignon Blancs and Bordeaux-style reds, as well as its exquisite views. Unfortunately many scratched the estate off their “to do” list in 2013 due to the many months of noisy renovations that left a dull ring in the heads of patrons; but like a prickly caterpillar goes through its transformation, the Constantia Glen wine estate has something beautiful and new to unveil.

Having had a pleasant experience at Constantia Glen in 2013 – despite the unsightly rubble and shrill drilling – I was very excited to receive an invitation to see the upgraded tasting room and chic new wine bar that were only just completed in time for the summer holiday season. Sought after South African interior designer, Graham Viney, has done a remarkable job tying in the old with the new, creating a fusion of European and Cape design.

Chic Wine Bar

Taking his cues from what already existed on site, Viney transformed the old stables and cow byre into a contemporary wine bar with light, eclectic spaces. Open for wine tasting and purchases, the wine bar has fresh design elements that include Cape Georgian cellar doors with klompie brick surrounds, spaansriet ceilings, and a great cast iron pavilion created out of the juncture of three verandas. The chandeliers hark back to the stable origins, while pale French oak furniture and raffia lamps are offset by splashes of rich earthy tones and animal prints.

Revamped Tasting Room 

Extending from the wrap-around veranda, the new 40-seater Victorian Pavilion tasting room overlooks the grassy terrace and vineyards that rise and fall along the mountain contours. Due to impressive hand-made terracotta tiles and specially bent corrugated roofing (which is apparently impossible to do) the tasting room hardly seems new, but rather blends seamlessly with the original veranda and reflects the love and sensitivity to the estate’s history by present owners, the Waibel family.

Wine & Food

The building isn’t the only thing that’s been revamped for the summer season. The new Saddle range of wines, named for the saddle in the mountain towards Hout Bay, proved to be very light and easy drinking. The Saddle White has delicate peach notes, the Saddle Red has a delicious plum aroma, and while I generally don’t tend to go for Rose wines, I enjoyed the sweet scents of cotton candy and strawberry that complemented the dry touch of the Saddle Rose.

The food menu has also been upgraded with new platters and a selection of fresh summer salads. If the charcuterie and cheese platters are anything to go by, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, the new tasting room also features a dining room for private functions.

If you’re looking for something new and fresh this summer, head to the sun-kissed vineyards of Constantia Glen.

Constantia Glen is open from 10am – 5pm on weekdays, and 10am – 4pm on weekends. For reservations and more information call 021 795 6100 or e-mail wine@constantiaglen.co.za. The GPS co-ordinates are S 34º 0’39.6” E 18º 24’30.6”