Babylonstoren
Franschhoek, South Africa
The prettiness of Babylonstoren can’t fail to charm. Located in the Franschhoek Valley or “French corner” just past the winemaking stalwart Stellenbosch, outside Cape Town, this three-and-a-half hectare farm is teeming with gardens and orchards – a kingdom of bees, fruits, berries, indigenous plants and historical trees. You are greeted by donkeys, chickens, geese and wild steenbok before walking through vegetable plots and citrus groves to a pear maze and clivia tunnel (plus secret swing). A giant greenhouse hosts tastings and tea, with finer dining at Babel restaurant, both embodying a farm-to-fork ethos. Guests of the deluxe Cape Dutch hotel and estate cottages don’t just get to enjoy the spa, swim in the outdoor pool converted from a reservoir, go fishing and row on the lake but, after sleeping in the peaceful shadow of Simonsberg mountain, they get to graze on yet more of the estate’s colourful goods at breakfast.
Key Information
- Opening times: Mon – Sun: 09:00 – 17:00 (closed Christmas Day)
- Signature wine: Nebukadnesar, uur flagship Bordeaux is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and malbec.
- Wines produced: four white, one rosé, four red and one Méthode Cap Classique
- Grape varieties: We produce 13 different grape varieties. White grapes: Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Sémillon, Chardonnay. Red grapes - Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Pinotage, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cellar door
- Restaurant
- Accomodation
- Spa
- Hidden gems: The garden: 8 acres split into 15 sections that include fruit, berries, bees for pollinating, indigenous plants, fragrant lawns, a prickly pear maze, a clivia tunnel and a plethora of trees of historical and botanical import
- Time from airport: 40 mins from Cape Town International Airport
- Visit Babylonstoren's website
Location
Babylonstoren Farm Klapmuts/Simondium Road, Franscchoek, Franschhoek, Western Cape, 7670
