What’s happening on the farm in November?
It’s the season of abundance at Babylonstoren as the vines and orchards are alive with activity. Buzzing bees, expert hands doing the last of the summer pruning and thinning, and the planting of the next batch of Kitchen Garden crops to harvest in summer.
From the garden, baskets overflow with spring staples such as juicy nectarines, avocados, strawberries, cucumbers, pattypans and peppers. The first of the festive harbingers, glossy red cherries, will also make their appearance towards the end of November.
Wonder awaits at Babylonstoren this festive season...
Starting in November, both the farm and online shop will be transformed to celebrate the season, with the royalty of the farmyard – including the Instagram-famous donkeys, tortoises and chickens – taking centre stage. Guests will be welcomed by towering Christmas trees symbolising the farm’s abundance. Scattered across the farm, festive animal surprises will add to the magic, inviting guests to discover the wonder that awaits...
Babylonstoren’s selection of seasonal treats will ensure delight, both under the Christmas tree and on your festive table. Handcrafted butter biscuits, artisan chocolates, seasonal water buffalo milk gelato and delectable bakes will tantalise your sweet tooth, while their all-in-one, make-at-home meal kits offer a fuss-free solution for festive entertaining. From simple platters for snacking on at the poolside to a showstopper crown roast and a savoury croquembouche to steal the show, let Babylonstoren take the hard work out of the festive season so that you can cherish what matters most.
The selection of festive-inspired homeware and timeless trinkets will also bring that sense of childlike wonder into your home. From fine linen tablecloths and classic wreaths to adorn your front door to a selection of delicate decorations inspired by the local fynbos to decorate your tree, there’s a touch of magic that only Babylonstoren can bring.
The annual pop-up Christmas shop will once again open its doors in the Scented Room, where visitors can browse this selection. Browse at your leisure and let them wrap your gift beautifully at their complimentary wrapping station before you head home. And if you aren’t lucky enough to visit the farm in person, the festive offering – and so much more – will be available online at shop.babylonstoren.com.
Come and smell the roses
In November Babylonstoren celebrates roses in all their splendour. Their sweet perfume fills the air in the garden as the pergolas groan under their unbelievable beauty. Follow the sweet-smelling fragrance all the way to the garden where heritage favourites such as Mme Alfred Carrière, Lamarque, Albéric Barbier, Souvenir de la Malmaison and Mermaid are in full flush. It’s the best time to see – and smell – these heritage beauties at their absolute best.
You can also book Babylonstoren’s sought-after Fragrant Roses workshop or see them on the daily Garden Tour with one of their experts. The Garden Tour departs from the Farm Shop at 10h00. Booking is essential.
Africa’s favourite farm-to-fork
Babel Restaurant in the Babylonstoren Garden has a new feather in its cap. It was named Africa’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant at the 2024 World Culinary Awards. Since opening in 2010, Babel has adhered to a simple yet profound principle: celebrating the freshest seasonal fare from the farm, reflecting its “pick, clean and serve” approach.
Babel’s culinary team, guided by executive chef Schalk Vlok, ensures that each dish reflects the essence of South African farm life and flavours. Ingredients are often served in their most natural state, with roots and leaves still attached, preserving a direct link between the farm and the table.
Book for Babel and arrive early to enjoy an aperitif at the Babel oyster cart during the sunny months. They’re shucking fresh West Coast oysters under the trees in the courtyard and serving them ice cold – with a glass of Cap Classique if you please.
Check in to rest at the best
The Babylonstoren Farm Hotel was voted South Africa’s Leading Country House Hotel in the recent 2024 World Travel Awards held in Kenya. They also secured the number one spot for Architecture and Landscape according to the 2025 Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards, along with being named the best hotel in South Africa according to the latest Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
These awards affirm Babylonstoren’s dedication to offering guests a true Winelands experience, with Boland warmth and hospitality at its core.
“Our hotel invites guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of a working farm. The silence and beauty of the surroundings, the wholesome nature of our products, the friendliness of our people – these all work together to anchor our guests. They arrive as visitors and leave as family.” - Dalené Claassens, Babylonstoren director of hotel and hospitality.
Click HERE to book your stay.
Winning wines
You don’t have to be on the farm to enjoy the world-class Winelands experience. Just in time for the festive season, the beloved Babylonstoren Cap Classique, Sprankel, scored double gold at the 2024 Veritas Awards – again!
This marks the third consecutive year that Sprankel has secured double gold at SA’s longest running and most prestigious wine and brandy competition. Apart from the Veritas Awards, Sprankel has had a very good year.
- Double gold at the Michelangelo Awards
- Double gold at the National Wine Challenge
- 92/100 according to Tim Atkin
- 91/100 according to the International Wine Challenge
- 5 stars in the Platter's South African Wine Guide
- Named as the very best Cap Classique in South Africa for 2024
Cheers to that ... and to popping some top-class Cap Classique this festive season!
Apart from the Babylonstoren golden girl Sprankel, Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2022 and Babylonstoren Babel 2023 also secured gold at the recent Veritas Awards. Babylonstoren’s silver standout is the Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2023 – a full- bodied wine with characteristic spicy citrus aromas that are softened by complex vanilla and nut flavours.
Home for the holidays or kicking back along the coast? Order online from anywhere in SA and they’ll deliver your favourite wines to wherever you are.
Workshops in November
- 1 November – Cape cookery: traditional melktert, melkkos and koesisters
- 5 November – Grow your own seasonal vegetables
- 6 November – Create a natural freshwater pond
- 7 November – Festive table: showstopping summer salads
- 8 November – Master meat: make your own salami and charcuterie
- 12 November – Summer decor from the garden
- 13 November – Fragrant garden roses
- 15 November – Bake your own: teatime treats with choux pastry and almond cake
- 20 November – Birding at Babylonstoren
- 21 November – Love the taste of culinary herbs
- 22 November – Cape cooking: traditional bobotie with seasonal chutney
- 26 November – Discover the secret life of bees
- 27 November – Grow your own edible and cut flowers
- 28 November – Pasta from scratch with mozzarella
- 29 November – Handcrafts at Soetmelksvlei: plant pressing