Buitenverwachting Wine Estate

A historic wine estate in Constantia, Cape Town, known for its exceptional wines, dining experiences, and scenic beauty.

Description

Buitenverwachting, meaning “Beyond Expectation,” is a charming wine estate located in the heart of Constantia, Western Cape, South Africa. Originally part of the Constantia Estate founded by Simon van der Stel, the farm has a rich history dating back to 1773. The estate is renowned for producing a variety of elegant wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux-style reds.

Visitors can enjoy wine tastings in a serene setting, dine at the acclaimed Beyond Restaurant, relax at the Coffee BloC, and explore The Studio gift shop. The estate’s picturesque surroundings and historic charm make it a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Company Group

Buitenverwachting

Additional Links

Beyond Restaurant | Coffee Bloc | Wine hop | Wine | Wine Tasting

Email Address

General: info@buitenverwachting.com

Phone Number

021 794 5190 | Wine Farm & Tasting
021 794 0306 | Beyond Restaurant
021 794 5190 | Coffee Bloc

Social Media

Google Rating

4.5 ★ | 350+ Google reviews

Activities

Wine Tasting: Guided tastings of the estate’s wines.

Picnic Platters: Available to enjoy on the lawns; bring your own picnic blankets. No self-catering allowed.

The Studio: Lifestyle gift shop featuring local artisan products.

Tours: Explore the estate with guided tours, learning about its history, vineyards, and wine-making process.

Restaurant Dining: Seasonal dishes made with fresh, local ingredients in a beautiful setting.

Experiences

Sip a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc while relaxing on the sprawling lawns under the old oak trees.
Stroll through the historic grounds, admiring the traditional cape dutch architecture and picturesque vineyard views.
Enjoy a casual breakfast or lunch in the sunny courtyard setting of the charming coffee bloc.
Sample the estate’s complex wines during a guided tasting in the original 250-year-old wine cellar.
Experience fine dining with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients at the acclaimed beyond restaurant.

Estimate Duration

1 – 3 hours

Tasting Options

Wine Tasting (5 Wines): R100pp

Food Menu Options:

Tasting Hours

Wine Tasting:
Wine Tasting | 10h00 – 17h00
Last wine sales | 16h00
Sunday | Closed

Tours

Buitenverwachting offers guided tours that provide guests with a deeper understanding of the estate’s rich history, winemaking process, and the surrounding natural beauty. These tours are an excellent way for visitors to explore the vineyard, learn about the various wines produced, and experience the estate from a local’s perspective.

Tour Highlights:

Historical tour of Buitenverwachting Wine Estate
Walk through the vineyards with a guide
Learn about the winemaking process from vine to bottle
Enjoy a wine tasting session featuring estate wines

Tour Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Tour Availability: Guided tours are available daily, with options for private and group tours. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons.

Dietary Options

Dairy-Free | Vegan | Vegetarian

Dress Code

Casual

Restaurants

Beyond Restaurant: Offers seasonal dishes created from the best local ingredients.

Coffee BloC: Serves breakfast and lunch in a beautiful courtyard or indoor setting.

Take-Away Deli: Offers a variety of fresh, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and deli items, ideal for a quick and tasty bite.

Picnics

Delicious picnic-style platters available to enjoy on the lawns.
Menus can be viewed on our website.
Please bring your own picnic blankets.
No tables on the lawn allowed.
No need to book pre-book platters, except for groups of 20 or more people.
No self-catering allowed.

Child Friendly Policy

Child friendly

What to Bring

Camera | Comfortable shoes | Picnic blanket | Sun protection

Additional Information

The estate is home to the historic studio gift shop, featuring curated local artisan products.
Buitenverwachting’s deep, decomposed granite soils contribute to the unique profile of its acclaimed white wines.
The original cape dutch manor house and buildings date back to the late 18th century.
Beyond restaurant offers a seasonal a la carte menu and a six-course tasting menu option.

Insider Guides

Go early for a peaceful tasting: Buitenverwachting can get busy, especially on Saturdays. Visit before noon to enjoy a more tranquil wine tasting experience and avoid the crowds.

Book in advance, especially for Saturdays: Wine tastings on Saturdays often sell out. Make sure to call or book by Friday 3 PM to secure your spot.

Bring a picnic blanket: While you can’t bring your own food, their picnic platters are excellent, and you’re welcome to enjoy them on the lawns, perfect for a sunny day.

Ask for the Sauvignon Blanc: It’s one of their most awarded and distinctive wines, a local favourite.

Pop into The Studio for unique gifts: Many visitors miss this tucked-away spot. It’s a great place to find handcrafted jewelry and artisan souvenirs.

Weather Considerations

Ideal weather: cool breeze | sunny

Rain alert: light rain (30–40%)

Weather experience: the stone tiled terrace overlooks the lawns for sunny days, and the cellar offers a cosy indoor retreat on cool days.

Reservation Policies

Beyond Restaurant:

A deposit of R400 per guest is required to secure reservations.
Cancellations or modifications are refundable if made no later than 48 hours prior to the booking.
Late cancellations or no-shows may forfeit the deposit.

Wine Tasting:

Table bookings are essential, especially for Saturdays.
All telephonic reservations for a Saturday must be made by Friday 15h00 at the latest.
R50 deposit for glasses used on the lawns. Last cash refunds for deposit of glasses is at 17h30.

Picnics:

Please bring your own picnic blankets.
No tables on the lawn allowed.
No need to book pre-book platters, except for groups of 20 or more people.
No self-catering allowed.

Reservation required

Yes

Estimate Price Range

Wine Tasting: R100 | 5 wine tastings

Beyond Restaurant: R100 – R300+

Coffee Bloc: R50 – R150+ | Breakfast or light meals with drinks

Take-Away Deli: R30 – R70+ | Sandwiches or light meals

Pricing & Entry Fees

Entry | Free

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible

Dog friendly

Not dog friendly

Booking Methods

Email | Dineplan | Phone

Must Tries

Sample the Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc, known for its crisp, citrusy notes and smooth minerality, a true representation of Constantia’s terroir.
Pair your wine with a seasonal platter, offering a delightful mix of local flavors in a picturesque setting.
Indulge in the Buitenverwachting Chardonnay, a full-bodied wine with zesty mineral characteristics, perfect for wine enthusiasts seeking depth and complexity.
Try the specialty game pâté platter, offering a unique taste experience with a selection of exotic meats such as kudu and zebra, paired perfectly with wine.

Highlights

Enjoy a guided vineyard tour that immerses you in the estate’s rich history while you take in the stunning views of the Constantia Valley.
Experience a wine tasting that allows you to savor a selection of exceptional wines, each reflecting the unique character of the estate.
Relish in a meal at the estate’s restaurant, where seasonal, locally sourced ingredients come together to create unforgettable dishes with scenic views of the vineyards.
Take part in an intimate wine-pairing experience, guided by knowledgeable staff who share insights into the art of pairing food with exceptional wines.

Chef’s tasting menu

Child friendly

Cultural experiences

Eco-friendly practices

Fireplace

Gift shop – The Studio – lifestyle gift shop

Guided tours

Historic buildings

Live music – During events

Load shedding proof

Not dog friendly

Parking – Plenty parking available onsite

Picnic area

Restaurants – Beyond Restaurant | Coffee BloC | Take-Away Deli

Restrooms

Scenic vineyards

Tasting room

Vineyard walks or trails

Wheelchair friendly

Wi-Fi

Wine shop

Wine tasting

Features

Chef’s tasting menu
Child friendly
Cultural experiences
Eco-friendly practices
Fireplace
Gift shop – The Studio – lifestyle gift shop
Guided tours
Historic buildings
Live music – During events
Load shedding proof
Not dog friendly
Parking – Plenty parking available onsite
Picnic area
Restaurants – Beyond Restaurant | Coffee BloC | Take-Away Deli
Restrooms
Scenic vineyards
Tasting room
Vineyard walks or trails
Wheelchair friendly
Wi-Fi
Wine shop
Wine tasting

Must Tries

Sample the Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc, known for its crisp, citrusy notes and smooth minerality, a true representation of Constantia’s terroir.
Pair your wine with a seasonal platter, offering a delightful mix of local flavors in a picturesque setting.
Indulge in the Buitenverwachting Chardonnay, a full-bodied wine with zesty mineral characteristics, perfect for wine enthusiasts seeking depth and complexity.
Try the specialty game pâté platter, offering a unique taste experience with a selection of exotic meats such as kudu and zebra, paired perfectly with wine.

Highlights

Enjoy a guided vineyard tour that immerses you in the estate’s rich history while you take in the stunning views of the Constantia Valley.
Experience a wine tasting that allows you to savor a selection of exceptional wines, each reflecting the unique character of the estate.
Relish in a meal at the estate’s restaurant, where seasonal, locally sourced ingredients come together to create unforgettable dishes with scenic views of the vineyards.
Take part in an intimate wine-pairing experience, guided by knowledgeable staff who share insights into the art of pairing food with exceptional wines.

Address

Buitenverwachting Wine Farm, 37 Klein Constantia Road, Constantia

Parking: Parking – Plenty parking available onsite

Opening Hours

Monday – Saturday
Wine Tasting	10h00 – 17h00
Last wine sales	16h00
Kitchen & Picnics	10h00 – 15h00
Coffee Bloc	08h00 –16h00
Take-Away Deli
Monday – Friday	08h00 –16h00
Saturday	08h00 –17h00
Beyond Restaurant
Wednesday – Saturday
Lunch	12h00 –15h00
Dinner	19h00 –21h30