It is always a ‘return’ to the soothing balm of Constantia Uitsig. The reasons for this are historical, aesthetical, gastronomical and environmental. When all these key ingredients combine effortlessly, together with the magical consequence of a taprooted soul, then you instinctively return, time and time again.

Constantia Uitsig is a classical Cape Dutch countryside retreat, set in its own award-winning vineyards, at the foot of mountain glory. It has a world-renowned cricket oval set in an amphitheatre of mountains, framed by soaring shadebearing cedar and oak, with a quaint clubhouse. There is a lovely swimming pool; plus a sparkling new spa fit for the likes of Aphrodite... and a reclining Bacchus. More often than not, the sky is ‘squintingly’ blue, with the odd cloud floating over in search of the nearby ‘Tabletop’.

The gardens have flourished from decades of love, skill and passion, bursting their blend of lush tropical and sensuous Mediterranean with rapturous iridescence. Squirrels, doves, ducks and lizards, among others, scurry about their routines, while staggeringly handsome horses roam in paddocks in the meadows beneath the mountain. The 19th century slave bell that hangs with an anchor quietude, stands as a stark white reminder; a far cry from the culture of Constantia Uitsig today.

We arrived after our formidable bush adventure in Tanda Tula, with the ripening vines glistening from the sun’s amber finale before dipping like a giant blazon peach behind the mountain. It’s only thirty minutes from the airport, with the last ten a pleasant breeze through leafy luxe-urbia. When you’re wrapped up in the Uitsig-bubble you feel blissfully removed from the rest of the world, within the tranquil melange of its refined Cape provenance.

We have always had our winning meals in Cape Town at Uitsig’s La Colombe, and this particular feast was outstanding. Being a Saturday night the restaurant had not a seat to spare; nor a stool at the slick new bar. The food is high octane but the mood is jazzy. The service is great; there is little the staff don’t know about the Provençal (faintly Eastern) influenced menu, which is chalked in white on a large blackboard beside your table.

The wonderful Maitre d’, Jennifer, bagged us a table at the conservatory end of the restaurant. I chose to stay local as scallops and foie gras feel a little ‘coals to Newcastle’ down here. However, Kudu tartar with pickled ginger plus a hint of chilli on a creamy soy mayonnaise, topped with a coriander pesto and a light coat of hoisin dressing was divine… Could Europe compete? Then, a taste sensation worth travelling for: medallions of suede-soft, pink-centred, Springbok, not too gamey but distinctly flavoursome, on a delectable ‘muscadel’ and grape jus.

A Cape Town retreat to revisit; time and time again.

Find out more and book direct with the hotel at www.luxuryexplorer.com