Nestled at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren is more than a wine estate — it is a living story of regeneration, craftsmanship, and connection to the land. Established in 1692 and reimagined in the modern era as a pioneering working farm, Babylonstoren has become a benchmark for experiential travel, where heritage and sustainability coexist in perfect harmony.
Fifteen years after opening its gates to guests, the estate continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. From its sprawling gardens and vineyards to its beloved Babel restaurant and apothecary, Babylonstoren remains a place where every scent, taste, and texture tells a story. To mark its 15th anniversary, here are fifteen reasons why this remarkable farmstay continues to capture hearts across the world.
1. EIGHT ACRES OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDENS: At the heart of Babylonstoren lies its iconic garden, inspired by the historic Company’s Garden of Cape Town. Every row is planted with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs, following heritage traditions and permaculture practices that keep the soil alive and abundant.
2. DAILY GARDEN TOURS: Guided by expert gardeners, these tours share the stories of medicinal herbs, indigenous plants, the history of the land and sustainable growing techniques. Guests leave with both knowledge of how the garden connects past and present, and how to implement a Babylonstoren approach to their own growing.
3. MOURVÈDRE ROSÉ: The farm’s celebrated rosé has become a staple of summer soirees! Pale, crisp, and refreshingly dry, it captures the pioneering spirit of Babylonstoren’s winemaking and has become a favorite pour at gatherings across the world.
4. SOETMELKSVLEI: A lovingly restored 19th-century Cape Dutch farmstead, Soetmelksvlei offers a glimpse of rural life before the 20th century. Here, regenerative agriculture meets heritage traditions, with experiences from butter-churning to blacksmithing, celebrating the artistry and skills of a bygone era.
5. WATER BUFFALO: Adding a distinctive character to the farm, Babylonstoren’s herd of Mediterranean water buffalo produce rich milk which is turned into a cheese and ice cream used throughout Babylonstoren’s kitchens, linking the farm’s pastures directly to its menus. Guests can even take part in feeding the baby buffalo, a joyful glimpse into the daily life of the herd that has become an emblem of the farm’s evolving story.
6. THE PERSONAL TOUCH: The team of farmers, gardeners, chefs, winemakers and hosts are behind everything at Babylonstoren, and their knowledge and dedication define the farm’s identity. Their collective spirit ensures that the farm is not just a place, but a living community admired worldwide. From Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld renowned horticulturist who tends to the hotel’s incredible succulent house, filled with roughly 3,500 plants to Klaas Stoffberg, the master Cellar Master and Warren Samuels, who hosts scenic mountain drives up the Simonsberg mountain for picnics overlooking the valley below.
7. FARM TO TABLE: The estate’s Babel, Old Bakery and Greenhouse restaurants celebrate the farm-to-fork ethos at its best. Ingredients are harvested daily from the gardens, so no two menus are ever alike – each dining experience reflects the season and the farm’s rhythm.
8. LIQUID GOLD: Each year, hand-picked olives are transformed into extra virgin olive oil using time-honored methods that produce an oil as fragrant as it is golden. Grown in the sun and soil of the Simonsberg slopes, the olives yield an oil best enjoyed cold to fully appreciate its freshness and depth of flavour.
9. THE SCENTED ROOM: Rooted in ancient knowledge, the apothecary celebrates the art of natural healing with remedies and wellness products infused with botanicals grown on the farm. Guests can explore the essential oil distillation process, from harvesting aromatics and Cape chamomile to witnessing steam distillation in action. Guided by Babylonstoren’s in-house compounder, Gavin Hendriks, visitors create their own body products using oils such as lavender, rosemary, and nourishing jojoba blends – a sensory journey that captures the true essence of the farm.
10. VINEYARDS: From centuries-old terroir to innovative cellar techniques, Babylonstoren’s vineyards produce wines that are expressive of place. The portfolio includes elegant reds, pioneering whites, and expressive rosés, each reflecting craftsmanship and care.
11. LEARNING BY HAND: Hands-on experiences such as wreath-making, fermentation, and bread-baking offer a deeper connection to farm life. These daily workshops bring together visitors and locals in celebration of creativity and shared learning.
12. WELLNESS AMID THE CITRUS GROVES: Surrounded by fragrant gardens and orchards, the Garden Spa embodies the estate’s deep connection to nature. Treatments draw on botanicals grown on the farm, and is complete with a large indoor-outdoor pool, salt room, sauna, steam room and two vitality pools – in addition to seven treatment rooms, an authentic hammam and traditional Rasul chamber.
13. CAPE DUTCH DESIGN: Set within Cape Dutch farm buildings dating back to the 18th century, the Farm Hotel blends historic architecture with understated contemporary design. Anchored by the manor house of 1777, the hotel offers a window into the layered history and living spirit of the estate.
14. SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS: From harvest festivals to spring plantings, each event celebrates the changing seasons and the abundance of the farm. These gatherings embody the philosophy of living in harmony with nature’s cycles.
15. SENSORY HEAVEN: As dawn breaks, the farm stirs to life with the scent of freshly baked bread mingling with citrus blossoms. Birds weave their song through the still morning air – an awakening of senses that captures daily life at Babylonstoren
