There are many reasons to visit Babylonstoren wine farm and restaurant. Nestled in the Cape Winelands among the Franschhoek Mountains, this picturesque farm offers visitors a unique wine-tasting experience and a world-class restaurant.
Babylonstoren has been described as a "garden of Eden". The farm has its own vineyards, fruit orchards, bee hives, vegetable gardens, a dairy, a bakery, and a working farm.
Here are 17 reasons why you should visit Babylonstoren:
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1. Babylonstoren wine is outstanding
Babylonstoren has won numerous awards for its wines, which are made from grapes grown on the property.
Babylonstoren was voted the best Innovative Wine Tourism Experience in the 2021 Best of Wine and Tourism Awards
What makes Babylonstoren wine so good?
Unique terroir and wine-making philosophy resulting in award-winning wines.
Sustainable and environmentally friendly vineyard management.
Passionate, knowledgeable staff who are always happy to share their knowledge about the wines and estate.
2. Babel Restaurant
Babel Restaurant is an interesting mix of Cape Dutch architecture and contemporary glass walls that makes for a simple yet edgy environment in which to try their tasty, often unconventional combinations, and fine food.
They have a farm-to-fork philosophy, meaning we like to serve seasonal food that reflects our “pick, clean and serve” approach right to your table.
Their food also changes seasonally so you can experience something new every time you come through these doors...and don't forget about those wacky flavour profiles: sometimes sweet.
3. Wine Tasting at Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren has an exceptional wine-tasting room where visitors can sample the estate's wines. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through the wine-tasting experience which can be paired with various Babylonstoren cheese and meat platters.
The cost of wine tasting starts at R160 p.p. for seven wines
(Flagship wines can be added to your tasting at an additional cost: Chardonnay R35, Nebukadnesar R40 and Sprankle R65).
An express tasting of three wines is also available at R65 p.p. Guests are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Babylonstoren Hotel (Luxury Farm Accommodation)
At Babylonstoren’s Farm Hotel, the overall effect is relaxed yet well-heeled, with some of the existing farm buildings transformed into sophisticated guest accommodations. The hotel is set amid Babylonstoren's working farm and gardens, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys.
The hotel has 33 guest units, each decorated in a unique style with luxurious furnishings.
Included in Hotel guests' stay:
A Babylonstoren breakfast
Full access to the garden at all times
A guided garden tour and farm walk
Guided fishing
Bicycles to explore the 200-hectare farm
Rowing at the dam
Mountain drive (for a two-night stay and longer)
Morning harvest with the gardeners
Bread baking with the bakers
Cellar tour and wine tasting
Guest laundry
Babylonstoren workshops
Personalised larder in your room
Access to the Garden Spa
5. Cellar Tour Babylonstoren
Journey through their underground wine tunnel to savour Babylonstoren’s finest wines. Their cellar tour starts in the aboveground vineyards, where vines from various styles are cultivated. From there, you will venture into the working cellar with its wine-producing vessels, from amphorae clay pots to open cement fermenters and concrete eggs. The tour concludes with a master tasting of their finest wines, paired with farm-grown and handmade delicacies.
6. Babylonstoren Season Fruit and Vegetable Garden
The setting is beautiful! Babylonstoren is one of Cape Wineland's most beautiful wine farms, with its lush gardens and tranquil ponds. These beautifully manicured gardens are open to visitors, who can enjoy a leisurely stroll and stunning views.
The Babylonstoren fruit and vegetable garden is incredibly fascinating, with over 300 different varieties of plants.
Their gardens include herbs, berries, fruit trees and vegetables, all used in the Babylonstoren's farm-to-fork restaurant.
The Babylonstoren Gardens are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in winter and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer.
Admission Costs Visitors pay an entrance fee to access our garden, which is the heart of Babylonstoren. An entry ticket costs R150 per adult per year, and children under 18 enter for free.
Guided tours of the gardens are available.
7. Babylonstoren Greenhouse Restaurant
The Greenhouse offers a wonderful refreshment station to guests after their walk through the garden. All their food is served picnic-style, highlighting fresh and seasonal ingredients inspired by what you will see in this beautiful landscape!
Their scones with honeybush tea are also highly recommended for those who have had enough exploring.
8. The Spice Garden at Babylonstoren
The Spice House is now open for group bookings with a menu inspired by fragrant spices. You can experience various aromatic plants such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves ,among other flavorful ingredients gathered from around their garden to create unique spice blends that will forever change how you view cooking in this modern era!
9. The Babylonstoren Farm Shop
The Babylonstoren Farm shop is a must-visit! This quaint shop sells homemade goods, local produce, freshly baked breads and Babylonstoren wines. Be sure to try their home-cured meats, fresh cheeses, and preserves.
The Old Bakery Restaurant is open for dinner and hosts Italian-inspired feasts and Carnivore Evenings.
The four-course family-style Italian evening comprises grazing boards from the garden to start, authentic pasta as second and wood-fired pizzas (served by the slice for as long as the fires are burning) for mains. Dolce is always something light and fresh from the farm, served with our very own water buffalo gelato. Carnivore Evenings are lively and cheerful with live accordion music, fine red wine and even a bit of dancing! The five-course meaty meal is served at long, communal tables laden with the finest meat in all forms and flavours. Think thick-cut steaks, beef tartare with all the trimmings and a few traditional surprises.
10. The Babylonstoren Spa
The Babylonstoren Spa is the perfect place to relax! With its stunning mountain views, the spa offers a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, and manicures.
11. Babylonstoren Photo Opportunities
There are plenty of photo opportunities at Babylonstoren! There is always something to photograph, from the beautiful gardens and landscapes to the quaint farm buildings.
12. The Healing Garden and Tea Ceremony at Babylonstoren
The Healing Garden is a must-see! This serene space features a variety of beautiful species. The central layout of the garden follows the form of the human body with herbs that are said to heal the head, heart, lungs, digestive system, organs, skin, bones, and feet. The trees planted in this garden are some of the “giants” in African healing traditions.
13. Babylonstoren is family-friendly!
Babylonstoren is a paradise for children. Although there is no separate play area, they offer a farm and garden experience – children simply love being outside and interacting with the animals. Young guests are welcome to feed our beloved donkeys, who live opposite the Farm Shop and love nothing better than a bread snack.
They may also come across our roaming tortoises, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and squirrels. Children can learn more about insects and see how they make their homes in the rubble, wood and bark provided at our exclusive insect hotel. The splash spiral, named Old Bullfrog, features lizards, amphibians, and a big bullfrog at its centre, spouting water and providing endless fun for young ones. The Gelato Room – housed in the old chicken coup – offers spoonfuls of joy for young and old, serving scoops of Babylonstoren’s water buffalo gelato in various seasonally inspired flavours.
14. Soetmelksvlei, an experience by Babylonstoren
Soetmelksvlei is a historical farmyard that offers a window into the past when life was simpler and craftsmanship was revered. This immersive experience invites guests to interact with master craftspeople and experience the daily chores and skills that defined life before the turn of the 20th century. The meticulously restored farmhouse, Old Cellar, Distillery, Mill, and Workshop provide a glimpse into ancient times. At the same time, farmyard activities such as milking, cream separation, metal forging, carpentry, animal care, wheat milling, distillation, and ox wagon rides offer guests a truly hands-on experience.
15. Babylonstoren is history!
The farm is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, with thick whitewashed walls dating back to 1692 and boasts one of the best-preserved plaaswerwe (farmyards) in the Cape.
16. Babylonstoren is eco-friendly!
The farm is guided by sustainable principles. The heart of the farm is the magnificent Babylonstoren garden, which includes vegetable patches, orchards of fruit and nuts, indigenous plants, and various animals such as ducks, chickens, and bees that play a vital role in pollination.
The farm grows its own fruits and vegetables and produces wine, olive oil, and honey.
17. Franschhoek Wine Tram
The Franschhoek wine tram stops at Babylostoren! It is a great way to explore the surrounding area and visit different wine farms.
Babylonstoren Day Visit
If you're short on time, Babylonstoren offers day visits! You can explore the gardens, go on a cellar tour, and enjoy a meal at the Greenhouse Restaurant.
There are many reasons to visit Babylonstoren, but these are just some of the highlights! Babylonstoren is a must-visit for anyone interested in wine and gardening.
If you’re looking for a unique wine-tasting experience, Babylonstoren is the place for you!
Where is Babylonstoren is located?
Babylonstoren is located in the Drakenstein Valley in Franschhoek, about 45 minutes drive from Cape Town, South Africa.
Babylonstoren is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
We hope you enjoyed this Article!
Article by Craig Howes // SoCoMunity
