The new tasting room at Constantia Glen

We were invited to visit the new Tasting room and restaurant at Constantia Glen.  We went on a beautiful hot Summer day. 

The tasting room is in a Cape Dutch style building and the restaurant is in an old terraced building with many different areas inside and out. The views from the terrace are sensational. You look out over the vineyards and can look up at the mountain or down across the Constantia Valley and beyond

Lots of umbrellas to shelter you from the sun

Inside the cool tasting room, which has glass doors which will close when the weather is not so warm

The restaurant terrace has comfortable cane furniture and such marvellous views of the Constantiaberg

Tables go all along the terrace to a larger area at the end which has glass walls. There are roll-down blinds along the terrace should the weather change

Looking down the valley at the mountains beyond

The vines are nearly ready to harvest, there is lots of activity in the vineyards and we saw lots of swooping birds

There are some good hiking trails on the mountain. This would be a very good place to start or finish a good walk.

The wine list

and the six wines we tasted. This generous tasting costs R40 and is cleverly served while you enjoy your lunch

On offer for lunch on the menu are various platters for one and there is one salad if you don’t want cheese or meat. We think they might need a couple more, possibly one with smoked trout, as there are many people who don’t eat either lactose or meat.

We chose the cheese and charcuterie platters. 

You do get a very good helping of both and the bread comes hot and crisp from the oven. The grapes, olives, apple slices, pickles and caper berries all add lots of variation. There is an interesting and delightful rose jelly on the platter, but we couldn't find anything on the platter that we thought went with it, as it is very sweet. You may completely disagree, so do give it a try. Perhaps an onion jam, preserved fig or chutney might be a better choice? 

The cheeses seemed to differ from the menu and three were very nice indeed. Lynne found the Roquefort quite salty and sharp and would have preferred a  softer blue cheese. John enjoyed it. The ham was lovely, but perhaps a third meat might add some variation.

This is the glassed in area at the end of the terrace. Lovely if the wind is blowing or it’s a bit wet. There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere and we will certainly be bringing lots of friends here for a visit.

Lots of room inside for a larger group, a dinner or a formal tasting.

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014