Set against the Simonsberg Mountains, Babylonstoren has grown from a historic Cape Dutch farm into one of the world’s most admired wine and garden estates. As it celebrates 15 years since its reimagining, this feature explores fifteen facets that define its enduring magic — from the orchard’s geometry to the human craftsmanship that brings every corner to life.
As one of South Africa’s most remarkable farm estates turns fifteen, we revisit Babylonstoren — a Cape Winelands retreat where time-honoured craft and natural abundance converge. From fruit gardens to healing oils, and buffalo herds to winemaking, these fifteen reasons reveal why Babylonstoren still captures the world’s imagination.
1. The Heart of the Garden
Eight acres of thriving fruit and vegetable gardens form the soul of Babylonstoren. Inspired by the historic Company’s Garden of Cape Town, this living paradise grows by season — its rows brimming with edible plants, medicinal herbs, and vibrant blooms. At every turn, heritage horticulture meets modern sustainability, nourishing soil and spirit alike.
2. Guided by the Gardeners
Each morning, Babylonstoren’s expert gardeners lead immersive tours through the landscape, uncovering the stories of indigenous plants, African botanicals, and forgotten pharmacopoeia. Visitors come away not just informed, but inspired, carrying a little of the farm’s grounded wisdom home with them.
3. A Rosé to Remember
One sip of Babylonstoren’s Mourvèdre Rosé encapsulates the estate’s sunlight, soil, and artistry. Pale salmon in hue, crisp and fragrant, it has become synonymous with Cape summers — poured from Franschhoek picnics to international tables.
4. Soetmelksvlei: A Heritage Reborn
A stone’s throw from the main estate, Soetmelksvlei has been lovingly restored to evoke agrarian life in the 1800s. Guests can watch the grain mill turn, churn butter, or master a heritage craft under the steady hand of local artisans. This is rural life retold — slower, deliberate, and beautifully human.
5. The Water Buffalo
Babylonstoren’s gentle herd of Mediterranean water buffalo produce the estate’s rich milk, later transformed into cheeses and ice creams that grace restaurant tables. Guests are invited to meet the herd, and even bottle-feed the calves — a charming encounter that connects the gardens to the plate in tangible ways.
6. The People Behind the Place
From renowned horticulturist Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld in the succulent house to cellar master Klaas Stoffberg crafting elegant vintages, Babylonstoren thrives through its people. Each farmer, chef, and gardener contributes to a shared ethos — that hospitality is an act of stewardship as much as care.
7. Farm-to-Table Living
Three distinct dining spaces — Babel, the Old Bakery and the airy Greenhouse — embody the farm’s “pick, cook, serve” philosophy. Daily harvests set the rhythm, meaning no two menus are ever quite the same. Whether rustic bread, citrus salad or chargrilled trout, every dish celebrates provenance.
8. Liquid Gold
The olive groves yield another of Babylonstoren’s treasures: extra virgin olive oil pressed by hand in small batches. Green-gold in colour, it carries the minerality of the Simonsberg slopes and is best enjoyed raw for its fresh, peppery finish.
9. The Scented Room
Step into the farm’s apothecary — a fragrant space devoted to traditional healing arts. Under the guidance of compounder Gavin Hendriks, guests can distil essential oils from Cape chamomile or lavender and blend their own botanical balms. It’s both a sensory experience and an homage to ancient craft.
10. Vineyards with a View
The vines climb across slopes that have been cultivated since the 17th century. Today’s Babylonstoren wines are contemporary yet true to their terroir — expressive whites, structured reds, and refreshing rosés made with precision and patience.
11. Learning Through Making
Daily workshops invite guests to roll up their sleeves and join the rhythm of the farm: from wreath-making and fermentation to bread-baking and seasonal preserves. Each session is an education in creativity — and a moment of shared connection.
12. A Spa Among Citrus Groves
The Garden Spa invites calm under a canopy of orange blossom and oak. With a Rasul chamber, vitality pools, and hammam-inspired treatments drawn from garden botanicals, wellness here is defined not by seclusion but by nature’s embrace.
13. Cape Dutch Character
The Farm Hotel’s whitewashed architecture speaks softly of the 18th century while its interiors lean on contemporary minimalism. Anchored by a manor house built in 1777, it captures the timeless beauty of Cape Dutch craftsmanship reimagined for modern travellers.
14. Celebrating the Seasons
From grape harvests and olive pressings to winter pruning and spring plantings, each changing season brings gatherings that unite visitors and locals in celebration. Babylonstoren’s calendar reflects nature’s cycle, reminding guests to live — and feast — in rhythm with the earth.
15. A Symphony of the Senses
Dawn at Babylonstoren is a quiet revelation: birdsong over still ponds, loaves rising in the bakery, and sunlight igniting citrus groves. Every sense awakens. After fifteen years, this remains the estate’s enduring magic — not a place you simply visit, but one you feel.
Beyond the Garden
Dating back to 1692 and framed by the Simonsberg Mountains, Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in South Africa. Reimagined by visionary stewardship, its 3.5-hectare formal garden forms both muse and mission — influencing everything from the restaurants’ menus to the spa, the Scented Room, and the artisanal Farm Shop.
A stay includes a wealth of inclusive experiences — from guided garden tours and mountain picnics to cellar tastings, cycling trails, fishing, and creative workshops — offering guests a window into the rhythm of farm life.
Room rates at Babylonstoren start from £540 per night for two, inclusive of breakfast, garden access, tours and activities. Children under two stay free.
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