This wine center, part of a historic farm complex, is a world-class tasting facility, complementing the hotel and restaurant.
Set the scene for us: Where is this place, and what does it look like?
Off a dusty road near Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, Babylonstoren’s entryway takes you between the vineyards and into the first of two restored Cape Dutch-style wings of the wine cellar. The old space—thick stone walls, dim lighting, vintage farm implements—has been reinvented as a retail area (complete with a coffee bar) that leads up a ramp into the innovative, highly contemporary steel-and-glass tasting room. From here, you can see all the surrounding vineyards and the Simonsberg and Banghoek Mountains.
Sounds gorgeous. And who else are we likely to tap glasses with while we're here?
A happy mix of local devotees; sophisticated international tourists who could be into gardens, design, wine—or all three; and members of the Babylonstoren Wine Club, who get regular invitations to exclusive events (like private dinners in the cellar) and discounts.
Now that's a club I'd like to join. Care to tell us about the vino, and how we can try them?
Wines are made with great insight and finesse, and beautifully express the local terroir—try the Sprankel, a sparkling Chardonnay. Tastings range from once-off pours of a single flagship wine to a lineup of three or five different wines tailored to your preferences. For a better understanding, take a cellar tour—they run on the hour, every hour.
Perfect; will do. Looks like they offer food, too—what should we order?
Choose among four bountiful platters—seasonal fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, plus cheese, meat, and fish—all served on wooden boards made from wine barrels.
Yum. How about the staff—did they do you right?
Everyone working here has completed at least an entry-level wine appreciation course, so you’ll be in good hands with tastings and tours.
Excellent. Now, wrap it up: What are we coming here for?
Opened 10 years ago to the public after massive restoration and development, this historic farm originally made a name for itself for its beautifully laid-out gardens and informative tours. Then came a deli and shop, a bakery, a butchery, a cheese room, and a fragrance shop. The wine center, which opened in 2015, has become a world-class tasting facility, complementing the hotel and restaurant.