This October, Babylonstoren invites visitors to celebrate the fullness of spring on the farm – from Garden Day festivities and edible flower crowns to seasonal produce, springtime workshops, farm heritage experiences and special dining events rooted in the bounty of the garden.
Garden Day takes centre stage
A highlight of Babylonstoren’s annual calendar, Garden Day returns on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with the vegetable gardens at the heart of the celebration.
This year’s theme, Edible Treasures, celebrates the bounty of the soil and the simple pleasure of growing good, clean food. Visitors can look forward to flower crowns with an edible twist – ripe berries, fragrant herbs, edible flowers, exotic vegetables and other treasures from the Moestuin woven among the blooms.
Once crowned, guests can wander through the garden and enjoy tastings and hands-on activities along the way, from Babylonstoren wines and olive oils to live music and wreath-weaving. Little gardeners will have plenty to keep them busy too, while a photo booth will capture visitors in full Instagram-worthy garden finery.
Garden Day weekend dining
For Garden Day weekend, Babylonstoren welcomes Jules and Steve Horrell of Horrell & Horrell in Somerset, England, to cook alongside executive chef Schalk Vlok for two exceptional farm-to-fork dining experiences shaped by the spring garden.
On Friday, 16 October, the Old Bakery hosts an off-the-cuff Fire Supper – a Vlok & Horrell feast cooked entirely over open flame and in the wood-fired oven, putting the farm’s freshest produce to fire with little fuss and plenty of flavour.
As Garden Day draws to a close on Sunday, 18 October, Vlok & Horrell come together once more for a long-table collaboration dinner under the stars. It is a rare opportunity to taste the work of chefs who have built their careers around honouring homegrown produce.
Visit the Babylonstoren events page to reserve your seat at the table.
Garden in Bloom Escape
Visitors can make a weekend of Garden Day with the Farm Hotel at Babylonstoren’s Garden in Bloom Escape. Guests stay three nights amid the fragrant flush of spring, with breakfast at Babel each morning, a two-course Babel dinner per guest, a private guided seasonal garden tour and late checkout.
The Garden in Bloom Escape is available until the end of November, subject to availability.
Book your escape
Gold for Babylonstoren at two leading South African awards
Babylonstoren is celebrating four gold awards for its olive oils and Cap Classique.
At the SA Olive Awards, both the Babylonstoren Blend 2026 and Babylonstoren Coratina 2026 received gold. The awards recognise the finest extra virgin olive oils produced during the current South African harvest season.
The farm’s olives are grown on the slopes of Simonsberg, between the wine regions of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl, before being harvested and cold-pressed on the farm. A proud recognition of the passion and dedication poured into every step, from harvest to press to tin.
At the 2026 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, Babylonstoren Sprankel 2021 and 2020 also struck gold, earning Gold in the Blanc de Blancs and Brut Blends categories, respectively.
Four Gold awards and plenty to celebrate.
Shop online
Ripe and ready in the spring garden
Spring is in full swing and the Babylonstoren garden is buzzing brightly. Clivias are at their fiery peak, lighting up the Puff Adder walkway and shaded path along the riverbank. In the Moestuin, the last of the asparagus spears are pushing skyward, while early peaches and plums are ripening in the orchards.
Mulberry trees hang heavy with fruit, while the tunnels are brimming with marrow, pattypan squash and cucumber. Inside the conservatory at the Greenhouse Restaurant, visitors can discover rare plants not seen elsewhere on the farm, while bees dart between blossoms in the Byzantium before returning to their hives laden with pollen.
Visitors should pause in the Welwitschia Garden, where Babylonstoren’s blue-headed Southern rock agamas – bloukopkoggelmanders – can be spotted bopping in the spring sunshine.
Book a garden tour
School’s out at Soetmelksvlei
Families visiting Babylonstoren this October can step back in time at Soetmelksvlei, the farm’s immersive 1897 farmyard experience.
Guests can climb aboard the ox wagon, drawn by Babylonstoren’s giant Chianina oxen, Ilios and Astro, or take the mule-drawn cart for a friskier trot around the farmyard.
At the Old Stables Restaurant, a generous farm spread awaits, while visitors can also bake their own roosterkoek over the coals beside the Farmhouse and enjoy it warm with farm-made butter. Afterwards, they can try separating cream the old-fashioned way – one of many hands-on glimpses into how food made its way from farm to table in 1897.
Visit Soetmelksvlei
Think pink. Think big.
Raise a glass to spring with the 2026 Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé. Sophisticated yet playful, its ethereal blush and lively acidity are matched by expressive aromas and layers of watermelon, rhubarb and cherry, with delicate hints of candy floss and strawberry yoghurt.
Available online and in store throughout October. Terms and conditions apply.
Shop the offer online, and you’ll also stand a chance to win a two-night midweek stay at Babylonstoren Farm Hotel, including daily breakfast at Babel Restaurant. Terms and conditions apply.
Shop the rosé online
Workshops in October
Hungry minds and eager hands have plenty to choose from in October, with visitors invited to learn from the growers, bakers and makers on the farm by practising their craft alongside them.
Babylonstoren
- 1 October – Veg on fire! Get grilling with Babel’s head chef
- 6 October – The secrets of traditional Italian balsamic vinegar
- 13 October – Garden Day: create your own flower crown
- 14 October – The colourful world of clivias and other indigenous bulbs
- 15 October – Garden Day: create your own flower crown
- 20 October – Craft your own homemade soaps
- 21 October – Create a natural freshwater pond
- 27 October – The beautiful world of fynbos
- 28 October – Pasta from scratch
Soetmelksvlei
- 1 October – Cape cookery: traditional melktert, melkkos and koesisters
- 2 October – Bake your own pies: four ways with traditional butter pastry
- 3 October – Blacksmithing: forge a pigtail braai fork
- 8 October – Farm brew: bean-to-cup coffee experience
- 8 October – Everything’s better with butter: make butter and bake buttermilk rusks
- 9 October – Pickle and preserve the season’s abundance
- 10 October – Make a 3-legged milking stool
- 15 October – Magic with milk: make butter, soft cheese and yoghurt
- 16 October – Chocolate and cake celebration: bake your own treats
- 17 October – Craft a wooden spoon and an iron ladle
- 22 October – Master meat: make boerewors and droëwors
- 23 October – Bake with mulberries
- 24 October – Leathercraft: dog collar and leash
- 29 October – Bloomin’ beautiful: the art of flower pressing
- 30 October – Cape food: traditional bobotie with seasonal chutney
- 31 October – The art of bookbinding
- 31 October – Craft a traditional riempie camping chair
Book your spot
