Franschhoek · Simondium (Franschhoek Valley entrance)
Babylonstoren
A 3.5-hectare formal garden, farm-to-table restaurants and Cape Dutch cottages that redefined the winelands.
About Babylonstoren
One of the Cape's most iconic destinations — a 3.5-hectare formal fruit and vegetable garden, three restaurants, a spa, hotel and its own wines.
Babylonstoren is a working farm designed as a destination. The formal garden is inspired by the Company's Garden in Cape Town, split into fifteen clusters (fruit, veg, herbs, cacti, koi ponds) and open to visitors on a self-guided walk. The wine is almost a bonus.
History
Purchased by Karen Roos and Koos Bekker in 2007, the farm was completely reimagined. The garden was designed by French architect Patrice Taravella and opened in 2011. The hotel, restaurants and cellar followed in stages.
The wine experience
The Wine Studio offers seated flights of the Babylonstoren range, focused on Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and the flagship Nebukadnesar red blend. Cellar tours run daily.
- Wine tasting
- Cellar tour
- Garden tour
Signature wines
- Chenin Blanc
- Nebukadnesar (Bordeaux blend)
- Sprankel Méthode Cap Classique
- Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier
Food on the estate
Babel (farm-to-table lunch), Greenhouse (breakfast/deli), Bakery, Tea Garden.
Pros and cons
An honest read from a driver who's been to every farm on this list.
Pros
- The formal garden alone justifies the visit — nothing else like it in the Cape
- Babel restaurant is a national reference for farm-to-table cooking
- Beautiful design and photography throughout the property
- Excellent overnight stays for couples
- Bakery and farm shop are genuinely great
Cons
- Extremely busy — book the garden, restaurant and hotel weeks ahead
- Garden entry ticket is separate from the wine tasting
- Feels more like a curated destination than a working wine farm
- Wine range, while good, is not the primary reason to visit
Best for
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about visiting Babylonstoren.
How much does a wine tasting at Babylonstoren cost?+
Tastings at Babylonstoren start from R150 per person. Options include Wine tasting, Cellar tour, Garden tour. Prices are typically waived or discounted with a bottle purchase — confirm current rates directly with the estate as they change seasonally.
What are Babylonstoren's opening hours?+
Babylonstoren is open Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00 (garden ticket separate). Tastings are pre-booked and the last tasting slot usually closes 60–90 minutes before the estate does, so arrive with time to spare.
How far is Babylonstoren from Cape Town and Stellenbosch?+
Babylonstoren is roughly 55 minutes by car from central Cape Town and about 25 minutes from Stellenbosch town, traffic depending. The estate is at Klapmuts–Simondium Road, Simondium.
Do I need to book in advance at Babylonstoren?+
Yes — like most Franschhoek estates, Babylonstoren works on pre-booked tastings, especially on weekends and in peak season (November–April). Walk-ins are sometimes possible mid-week but never guaranteed.
Is there food available at Babylonstoren?+
Babel (farm-to-table lunch), Greenhouse (breakfast/deli), Bakery, Tea Garden.
Can Stellenbosch Shuttles drive me to Babylonstoren?+
Yes. We run private, all-inclusive day tours to Babylonstoren and the wider Franschhoek winelands from Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the Winelands hotels. One flat rate covers the vehicle, driver, fuel and tolls — you taste freely, we drive safely. Request a quote for your dates and group size.
More wine farms in Franschhoek
Boschendal Wine Estate
The most complete winelands day out — vineyards, restaurants, farm shop, cottages and the famous picnic.
La Motte
Rupert-family estate with Pierneef art museum, hiking trails and the Pierneef Collection Shiraz.
Haute Cabrière
Cellar carved into the mountainside and the Pierre Jourdan Cap Classique that pioneered Cape bubbly.
Visiting Babylonstoren? We'll drive.
One flat all-day rate — driver, fuel, tolls and cellar-door bottle collection included.