Babylonstoren

Babylonstoren: historic farm, garden and wine in the Franschhoek valley

Babylonstoren is one of the oldest working Cape Dutch farms, located at the foot of Simonsberg mountain in the Franschhoek wine valley, within the Boland region. The estate revolves around an extensive fruit and vegetable garden with remarkable botanical diversity, inspired by the historic Company's Garden in Cape Town. The farm combines its agricultural activity with accommodation, dining, a winery and a shop, presenting itself as a space that evokes wellbeing and a contemporary rural lifestyle.

The garden as the heart of the farm

The garden is the core that guides every facet of Babylonstoren. It houses fruit orchards, acres of vegetables, farm animals and a wide variety of pollinating insects. Its collections include thousands of cultivated clivias donated by renowned collectors, a succulent house with plants adapted to South Africa's arid zones, and an extensive cycad collection, presented as one of the rarest plant displays open to the public. The Spice House and the Medicinal Garden, at the back of the formal garden, bring together tropical plants and healing herbal flora that illustrate the use of herbs and spices in South African cuisine.

Simonsberg wines

The winery produces wines from the unique terroir of Simonsberg mountain. Its cellar functions as a library of winemaking methods used around the world, with clay amphorae, open concrete fermenters and concrete eggs. Winemaker Klaas Stoffberg and cellar master Charl Coetzee use these formats for small batches destined for exclusive, limited-edition wines of the Babylonstoren Wine Club. The standard range is produced using modern methods, including stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, and has won awards. The collection includes four whites, four reds, a Provençal-style rosé and a Cap Classique called Sprankel.

Farm accommodation

The Farm Hotel and the farm's houses offer an authentic rural stay integrated into the natural surroundings. Options include the Farmhouse, the Manor House, the Garden Cottages, the Fynbos Cottages and the Fynbos Family House, aimed at families. All combine the style of agricultural buildings — whitewashed walls, elegant gables and fireplaces — with modern amenities, and serve as a base for exploring the garden, the spa, the restaurants, the tasting room and the farm shop.

Restaurants and farm-to-table philosophy

Babylonstoren's dining establishments are guided by what the garden offers each season. The farm-to-table philosophy is embodied in a pick, clean and serve approach, with fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs and other produce harvested daily. Babel restaurant occupies a refurbished old cowshed, with Cape Dutch gables and modern glass walls. The Greenhouse offers a more informal experience for light meals after a stroll through the garden. In the tasting room, located in a glass-walled structure suspended above a vineyard, grazing platters are served and the full range of award-winning wines can be tasted.

Experiences and visits

The farm offers various experiences to learn about its operations, such as olive oil blending or the essential oil distillery in the Scented Room, opposite the cellar, where aromatic harvests are transformed into natural bath and body products. Weekly workshops, led by master gardeners, chefs and specialists, cover a variety of topics. Guided tours of the garden, the cellar and the olive oil are also offered, as well as a water buffalo tour. Soetmelksvlei, an interactive farmyard set in the late 19th century, is a short shuttle ride away and offers an immersion in an era before industrialisation. Other activities include stretch and breathe, spa treatments and day visits to Byzantium.

Shop and products

The Farm Shop, the Milk Room, the Bakery, the Butchery and the Lekker Kamer offer food products from the farm and local suppliers, with the aim of showcasing the region and allowing visitors to purchase a selection of pantry items, fresh produce and luxury homeware. The online shop extends this offering to shoppers across South Africa. The farm also produces olive oil, tea and a line of natural bath and body products.

Events and spaces

Babylonstoren has spaces for functions, weddings, events and small gatherings, and its location is offered for audiovisual productions. The farm has sister estates in the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands and South Africa, which share its philosophy of celebrating natural beauty, farm-to-table living and immersive guest experiences.

Location and contact

Phone: +27 (0)21 863 3852 · Email: enquiries@babylonstoren.com · Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:00). Winter: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00.