Overview

Nestled in the heart of the Cape Winelands between Paarl and Franschhoek, Babylonstoren is one of South Africa’s most iconic wine estates, renowned for its magnificent gardens, award-winning wines, exceptional farm-to-table dining and luxurious accommodation.

Dating back to 1692, it combines centuries of Cape Dutch history with contemporary design and innovative farming. At its heart lies a world-famous eight-acre fruit and vegetable garden, inspired by the historic Company Gardens of the Cape. Visitors can wander through beautifully curated orchards, vineyards, waterways and indigenous plant collections while enjoying some of the finest food and wine in the region.

History

Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in South Africa, established in 1692. It takes its name from a distinctive granite hill that reminded early settlers of the biblical city of Babylon. In 2007 the estate entered a new chapter when Koos Bekker and Karen Roos purchased the property, restoring the historic farm into a destination centred on gardens, sustainability, food, wellness and world-class hospitality.

Following its restoration from 2007, Babylonstoren carefully preserved its historic Cape Dutch buildings while creating one of South Africa’s most celebrated lifestyle destinations. Owner Karen Roos commissioned French architect Patrice Taravella to design the estate’s now-famous garden, and every subsequent addition has respected the farm’s heritage while introducing contemporary design, sustainable farming and world-class hospitality that continue to draw visitors from around the world.

The Gardens

At the heart of Babylonstoren lies its celebrated fruit and vegetable garden, inspired by the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town and laid out in 2007 across some fifteen themed clusters. More than 300 varieties of plants are cultivated here, every one of them edible or with medicinal value, supplying the estate’s restaurants and bakery while creating one of the Cape Winelands’ most beautiful garden experiences.

Water is gravity-fed from a mountain stream through rills and ponds planted with edible lotus and waterblommetjies. Visitors can explore orchards, glasshouses, a prickly-pear maze, a succulent house, a rare public cycad collection and the Spice House and Healing Garden on guided or self-guided walks.

The Estate Today

Babylonstoren is a working farm where almost everything served to guests is grown or produced on the estate. Visitors enjoy wine tastings, guided garden tours, farm-to-table restaurants, a bakery, a farm shop, a luxury hotel, a spa, olive oil tastings, cellar tours and river walks, all set among beautifully restored Cape Dutch buildings.

The estate spans roughly 120 hectares under vine and produces 13 grape varieties, with the highest vineyards – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – planted against the Simonsberg at around 600 metres above sea level. Alongside the vineyards, orchards, olive groves, vegetable gardens and farm animals all contribute to daily life on the farm, making Babylonstoren function almost like a self-contained destination village rather than a single wine-tasting stop.

Wellness & Farm Living

Wellness is woven through the Babylonstoren experience. The Garden Spa draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape, while seasonal produce, fresh ingredients and generous outdoor spaces encourage a slower, more restorative pace of life.

Together with luxurious farm accommodation, garden tours, cellar and olive-oil tastings, cycling and riverside walks, the estate offers an immersive countryside retreat – a place to stay, wander and unwind rather than simply a destination for wine.