The official launch of the Constantia Valley Tourism Office was held on Wednesday June 15 at its permanent base on Groot Constantia Wine Estate (“New tourism office to grow industry,” Bulletin May 26).
Guests of this membership-based organisation were welcomed with the wine estate’s Pink Pinot Noir/Chardonnay MCC 2013, which has not yet been released to the public.
In her speech, chief executive officer of the Constantia Valley Tourism Office Jooles Kilbride said they had been online since 2005 but many visitors to Cape Town, both national and international, often had no idea where the Constantia Valley was and what gems it held. And so it had been decided to set up a visitor centre at the oldest wine farm in the country (it dates back to 1685), which is one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions.
“We’re well situated between the mountains and the sea – 20 minutes to the centre of town, 20 minutes to Hout Bay, Noordhoek or even Muizenberg. We have sensational restaurants, two of which are in the top 10 in South Africa and one in the top 100 in the world. It’s an amazing feat, and we should all be very proud,” said Ms Kilbride.
“We also offer an adrenaline- packed activity in the form of ziplining, and we have a pretty cool bike experience for the kids at Constantia Uitsig.
“And then we have greenbelts, the mountains, places of historical interest, great shopping, art galleries and even golf. Seriously, why would you want to stay anywhere else,” said Ms Kilbride.
The visitor centre, which is in the tasting room at Groot Constantia, is open seven days a week.
Call 076 742 5366 or visit www.constantiavalley.com for details.