The festive season is officially underway and where better to immerse yourself in a sunny and summery South African Christmas than at Babylonstoren? Join us as we delight in all things bright and beautiful.
5 Things to taste, smell and see in the garden
The sun-drenched days of summer bring a burst of energy and abundance to Babylonstoren. It is a happy time on the farm, when the garden puts forward its best foot; a feast for the senses, an explosion of colours, enticing aromas and the taste of ripe fruits.
- Look out for our flock of feathered friends that herald in the festivities – we call them the Joy Bringers or Vreugdebringers. They’ll be hop-skipping about in the garden on 2 December, 9 December and from 18–24 December to bring a little Joy and Wonder to all.
- Seek refuge from the summer sun in the shade of Babylonstoren's Puff Adder walkway where you'll find the annual bonsai exhibition on display.
- Get that summer feeling with a lick of water buffalo milk gelato from the Gelato Room. For the festive season, gelato queen Carla Hills has created a festive feast with chunks of rich date and white chocolate Christmas pudding, a swirl of caramel and boozy brandy.
- Pick a ripe peach from the stone fruit block. Early cling peach varieties like Transvalia are just starting to ripen, while Margaret's Pride will be ready for the picking around Christmas.
- Meet us at the complimentary Babylonstoren wrapping station under the Old Vine where you can wrap up your farm-bought gifts before heading home.
Toast the best
Be sure to toast the New Year with South Africa’s very best Cap Classique for 2024. Our darling Sprankel was awarded 5 stars and crowned winner at the Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide Awards, hosted on 16 November.
This 100% Chardonnay is crafted from various vineyards on the farm to produce a vibrant, fruity and crisp Cap Classique with a fine mousse.
Double the delight
Shopping for loved ones over the festive season should bring JOY – for both the giver and the receiver. We’ve curated a selection of our favourite things suited to everyone on your gift list this year, from foodie friends to green thumbs and even the luxury lovers who seem to have it all.
Explore the Babylonstoren festive feeling and have your gifts delivered to anywhere in South Africa, for free.
Festive shopping
Lavender abundance: from fields to fragrance
The lavender in front of Babel Restaurant and in the fields at the foot of the Babylonstoren koppie are in full bloom. The flowers of the extraordinarily perfumed Lavandula ‘Grosso’ – with its distinctive purple and grey-green colouration and unmistakable fragrance – is used to create our own essential oil, distilled and bottled in the Scented Room.
Guests can visit the Babylonstoren Essential Oil Distillery around 10h00 every morning to see how the extraction process takes place.
