Babylonstoren Wine Estate
Babylonstoren Wine Estate
Paarl Wine Region | Western Cape | South Africa
Babylonstoren Wine Estate is located on one of the oldest and most beautiful farms in the Paarl Wine Region. Set at the foot of the majestic Simonsberg, Babylonstoren has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine, and evokes a sense of wellbeing.
Wine Tasting & Cellar
Our wines are produced in a state-of-the-art winery and are made to showcase the soils and climate where their grapes are grown. The Tasting Room sits adjacent to the Wine Cellar, offering views of the conical Babylonstoren hill, Simonsberg and the Banghoek Mountains.
We have about 94 hectares (232 acres) under vine and produce 13 different grape varieties, with our highest vines – pinot noir and chardonnay – lying against Simonsberg at some 600 metres above sea level.
Led by cellar master Charl Coetzee and winemaker Klaas Stoffberg, the farm’s 2011 harvest led to the first bottling of wine under the Babylonstoren label.
Time 10h00, 13h00 or 16h00 (duration 90 minutes)
The walking tour starts with some interesting facts about our farm’s history and wine heritage. Examples of different vines (table grapes as well as wine grapes) are shown. In the production cellar, the winemaking process is explained. The tour also includes a visit to our new wine tunnel, offering guests a journey through centuries of making and storing wine. After visiting the barrel cellar, it’s time to taste our range of wines. Guests gather around the large wooden table in the wine tunnel for the tasting. Accompaniments are served to compliment each wine to perfection.
You can visit Babylonstoren responsibly by choosing one of the following Day Tour or Taxi Companies.
Olive Oil at Babylonstoren (Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Tour)
The ultimate pantry go-to, our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend & seasonal single varietal offerings begin and conclude their journey right here on our farm before making their way into your kitchen. Made from several olive varietals that are grown in the sun and soil on the slopes of the Simonsberg, the entire process takes place under the expert care of our ‘olive oil sommelier’, Klaas Stoffberg and his team: from traditional hand-harvesting to cold-pressing to decanting into our uniquely designed tins.
Our philosophy in the creation of our olive oils – one that unites sophisticated international methods with a passionate artisanal approach – has led to local and international recognition in the form of several prestigious awards as well as our most important benchmark, the approval of foodies who have come to appreciate the freshness and unique flavour of our liquid gold.
Maximum 6 guests
The walking tour starts with a visit to our balsamic vinegar cellar, where guests will gain insight into the traditional methods and production processes used to create our DOP-style vinegar, and taste both our three-year-old and twelve-year-old balsamic vinegars. This is followed by a behind-the-scenes look at how Babylonstoren’s table olives are made in our olive production plant and sample the varieties on offer. After the tasting, the process of transforming olives into golden olive oil in our cold press process is explained in the olive press. Finally, it’s time to taste our olive oils. Guests can create their own 100ml blend of the different oils to take home as a small keepsake.
Our popular Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend is made from five olive varietals grown on our farm and has a gentle aroma with notes of florals and fresh herbs, most markedly mint. A nutty start on the palate runs into a pleasantly bitter and peppery taste for which true cold-extracted, fresh-from-harvest extra virgin olive oil is so celebrated.
Immensely versatile and distinguished by its golden-green hue, use our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend to soak into chunky bread, drizzle over pasta, dress a simple salad or roast chicken or perk up grilled fruits served with soft cheese for a gorgeous dessert.
Tea at Babylonstoren Wine Estate
We take the gentle art of tea blending seriously at Babylonstoren, using the finest cuts of superior-quality organic Rooibos and Honeybush leaves in our teabags to obtain a true local character. A typically South African drink that has found popularity at home and abroad, Rooibos and Honeybush derive from indigenous Cape fynbos, hence the distinctive amber colour and sweet, earthy and uniquely floral taste that sets them apart from the rest.
There’s also more to our tea than just a moment of serenity: this splendid brew is also naturally caffeine-free, low in tannins and rich in anti-oxidants. While the question of how to enjoy our strong and honest Rooibos and Honeybush blends is entirely up to you – with or without milk, with a spoonful of honey or straight up, over ice or steaming – it’s certain we’re all in agreement on one thing… Tea is always a good idea.
Available in teabags or loose-leaf, our organic Rooibos Tea (Afrikaans for ‘Red Bush’) has a herbal, fruity taste and a distinctive crimson colour. Made from the dried leaves of the Rooibos plant, this drink is not only naturally sugar- and caffeine-free but is also appreciated for its great flavour and health benefits.
Brew in just-boiled water to your preferred strength and enjoy as is, or add milk, cinnamon, honey or sugar for a comforting drink. For the best of both, make a brew using a bag each of Honeybush and Rooibos tea.
Made from the indigenous Honeybush plant that forms part of the fynbos biome, our Organic Honeybush Tea is infused with the essence of the Southern Cape. Enjoyed for its herbal-flowery taste, slight sweetness and honey aroma, this tea is a delightful alternative to the everyday cuppa.
It is 100% natural, low in tannin and contains no caffeine or sugar. The relaxing and soothing qualities of Honeybush Tea make it the ideal beverage to complement a healthy lifestyle. For optimal flavour, brew with just-boiled water to the preferred strength and enjoy hot or cold, with milk or without.
Whatever your reason for visiting the Babylonstoren Wine Estate we really do look forward to your visit.
