From harvesting waterblommetjies to celebrating gold-medal wines, winter at Babylonstoren is a season of quiet beauty and bold moments. This July, we invite you to explore what’s happening on the farm – from spa escapes to hands-on workshops for little ones.
Winter’s wonderful gems
Get your umbrellas and wellies ready – the big soak has arrived at Babylonstoren in full force! An early harvest of waterblommetjies arrived just in time for winter’s first cold snap – bredie season is officially here. In the cycad block, cones are emerging as part of their ancient cycle. Pineapples are fruiting in the Greenhouse – worth a look if you’ve never seen one grow.
On the farm, colourful brassicas, radicchio, carrots, fennel, kohlrabi, turnips and leafy veggies in every hue thrive. Can’t visit the farm for a dose of tree-ripe Vit C? Order a citrus abundance box online – there’s plenty for juicing, marmalades or cordials.
In vino veritas
Winter on the farm is a time to take stock – to prune the old, plan the new and savour the fruits of past labour. Nowhere is that truer than in the Babylonstoren cellar, where months of hard work during and after harvest quietly come to life in the bottle.
Their wines recently took the spotlight on two international stages – at Syrah du Monde in France, their Shiraz 2022 won Gold and landed in the global top ten. Meanwhile, Sprankel 2019 sparkled at the Global Sparkling Masters 2025 in London, also taking gold. Available on shop.babylonstoren.com.
School of rocks
Babylonstoren’s Puff Adder rock exhibit shows life in surprising forms. Just behind the House of Shadows sits a stone “piano” that hums with human history. A smaller version wowed crowds at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this May. Come rock out!
Outdoor play time
This July, kids aged 6–12 can get their hands dirty in veggie growing or succulent workshops. Or join a mindful sensory day with Babylonstoren yogi Carel Cloete. All sessions require parent participation.
Steam, soak and scrub the cold away
Warm up at the Babylonstoren hot spa with vitality pools, steam rooms and the Rasul chamber. Try their hammam water ritual – winter’s best remedy for body and soul. Hotel guests who book a two-night hotel stay receive a complimentary 30-minute spa treatment. The offer is valid until the end of July. View the spa menu HERE.
July workshops on the farm
Babylonstoren
- 1 July – Craft your own homemade soap
- 2 July – Family Fun: grow your own veggies (kids 6–12)
- 9 July – Family Fun: grow your own succulents from scratch (kids 6–12)
- 15 July – Family Fun: move and breathe in the garden (kids 6–12)
- 16 July – Build your own garden structures
- 23 July – The magical world of mushrooms
- 30 July – Create beautiful tree shapes with espalier
Soetmelksvlei
- 3 July – Traditional Handcraft: Colour crocheting
- 4 July – Everything’s better with butter: butter and buttermilk rusks
- 11 July – Cape food: preserve seasonal guavas
- 18 July – Cape food: farm-style loaves with seasonal marmalade
- 19 July – The art of bookbinding
- 24 July – Master Meat: all about venison and biltong
- 25 July – Cape Food: traditional bobotie and guava chutney
Click HERE to make a booking.
