Babylonstoren Wine Estate
A historic Cape Dutch farm offering a blend of luxury, farm-to-table dining, and immersive wine and garden experiences.
Description
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. It features a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, a contemporary Farm Hotel & Spa, farm-to-table restaurants, and a world-class wine experience.
Visitors can explore meticulously maintained gardens, taste a range of wines, and enjoy various activities that showcase the estate’s heritage and sustainability.
Company Group
Babylonstoren Estate
Email Address
Phone Number
021 863 3852 | GeneralSocial Media
Google Rating
4.6 ★ | 2,300+ Google reviewsActivities
- Wine tastings and cellar tours
- Guided garden walks
- Farm-to-table workshops
- Soetmelksvlei historic farmyard experience
Experiences
- Wander through the sprawling eight-acre garden, picking and sampling the seasonal fruit and herbs you encounter.
- Find tranquility rowing on the farm dam, taking in the spectacular scenery and abundant bird life.
- Join a cellar tour to trace the winemaking journey and taste estate wines in the underground tunnel.
- Cycle the extensive farm trails, discovering the vineyards, orchards, and historic buildings at your own pace.
Estimate Duration
2 – 5 hours
Tasting Options
Babylonstoren range (7 Wines) – R110
Express tasting (Chenin Blanc, Mourvèdre Rosé & Babel Red) – R50
Chardonnay – R30 | Nebukadnesar – R35 | Sprankel MCC – R40
Tasting Hours
Tasting Hours: Open daily from 10h00 to 18h00
Tours
Daily Garden Tour: A guided walk through the estate’s iconic fruit and vegetable garden, encouraging guests to pick, smell, and taste seasonal produce. Departs daily at 10h00.
Special Collections Tour: A themed tour offered Monday to Friday at 11h30, exploring different garden elements like succulents, cycads, the Healing Garden, bee hives, and vegetables with an expert gardener.
Cellar Tour: A behind-the-scenes look at Babylonstoren’s wine production, including barrel tastings. Offered daily at 10h00, 13h00, and 16h00. Duration: 2 hours.
Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Tour: A guided tasting and insight into Babylonstoren’s olive oil and vinegar production. Offered at 11h00, 13h00, and 15h00. Max 6 guests. R200 pp.
Healing Garden Tour: A walk through the medicinal plant section of the garden, highlighting natural remedies and uses of plants. Tuesdays only.
Succulent & Cycad Tour: An exploration of Babylonstoren’s unique and ancient plant species. Mondays & Fridays only.
Dietary Options
- Vegan-friendly options | Vegetarian friendly
- Farm-fresh and organic produce
Dress Code
Casual
Restaurants
Babel Restaurant: Seasonal farm-to-fork cuisine (Bookings required)
Greenhouse Restaurant: Casual dining, picnic-style service (No bookings required)
The Bakery: Serves fresh bread and Italian-style dinners
Child Friendly Policy
Child friendly
What to Bring
Camera | Comfortable shoes | Hat | Sunscreen | Water bottle
Additional Information
Babylonstoren features historic cape dutch architecture from 1692, offering a rich sense of history.
The farm is committed to sustainability, with much of the food served coming directly from the garden.
It offers unique, themed workshops throughout the year, such as bread-baking and essential oil making.
The babel restaurant is widely acclaimed, having won multiple awards for its farm-to-table experience.
Insider Guides
Pre-book babel restaurant well in advance as it is very popular.
Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter garden experience.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the gravel paths.
Children can enjoy feeding the donkeys and collecting eggs.
Weather Considerations
Ideal weather: Sunny | Cool breeze
Rain alert: Light rain (30–40%)
Weather experience: The gardens are beautiful to explore in mild weather, while cooler days offer a cozy retreat near the indoor fireplaces.
Reservation Policies
Arrival: Late arrivals may forfeit their booking, especially for guided tours.
Babel restaurant: Online bookings open nine months in advance, essential for dinner.
Group bookings: Groups of 11–25 guests require a 50% deposit to confirm the reservation.
Estimate Price Range
General Entry | R150+
WIne Tasting | R65 – R160+
Tours | R300 – R500+
Restaurants | R300 – R500+
Pricing & Entry Fees
- R150 per adult | Children under 18 enter FREE
- This will give you unlimited admission to Babylonstoren for 12 months.
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible (some paths covered with gravel or peach pips)
Booking Methods
Email | Phone | Website
Must Tries
- Nebukadnesar wine tasting
- Farm-fresh seasonal dishes at Babel
- Garden tour with hands-on experience
Highlights
World Culinary Awards 2024: Africa’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant
Eat Out 500 Best Restaurants
The Monocle Restaurant Awards: Top 50 Restaurants
Award-winning wines and dining experiences
Berg River dam access
Cheese & charcuterie room
Child friendly
Conference & event spaces
Farm Hotel & Spa
Farm shop & butchery
Gardens & walking trails
Historic Cape Dutch architecture
Not dog friendly
Olive oil press & balsamic vinegar cellar
Parking
Restaurants & cafés
Restrooms
Scenic views
Tasting room
Tours
Vineyard walks or trails
Wine cellar
Wine tasting
Wheelchair friendly (some paths covered with gravel or peach pips)
Features
Award-winning wines and dining experiences
Berg River dam access
Cheese & charcuterie room
Child friendly
Conference & event spaces
Farm Hotel & Spa
Farm shop & butchery
Gardens & walking trails
Historic Cape Dutch architecture
Not dog friendly
Olive oil press & balsamic vinegar cellar
Parking
Restaurants & cafés
Restrooms
Scenic views
Tasting room
Tours
Vineyard walks or trails
Wine cellar
Wine tasting
Wheelchair friendly (some paths covered with gravel or peach pips)
Must Tries
- Nebukadnesar wine tasting
- Farm-fresh seasonal dishes at Babel
- Garden tour with hands-on experience
Highlights
World Culinary Awards 2024: Africa’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant
Eat Out 500 Best Restaurants
The Monocle Restaurant Awards: Top 50 Restaurants
Address
Klapmuts – Simondium Road, Simondium
Parking: Ample parking onsite
Opening Hours
| Monday – Sunday | |
| Estate | 10h00 – 18h00 | |
| Babel Restaurant | |
| Breakfast | 08h00–09h30 | |
| Lunch | 12h30–15h00 | |
| Dinner | 18h00–20h30 | |
| Greenhouse Restaurant | |
| September – April | 09h00–18h00 |
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