A day in the life of a working wine farm

Most welcome visitors for delicious wine tastings and meals, and guests are certainly spoilt for choice. But few are as impressive as Babylonstoren, one of the oldest farms in the Winelands region, situated in Simondium in the Franschhoek valley.

Babylonstoren represents the epitome of quality, both in the wines it makes and the fruit and vegetables it sustainably produces. It also features a luxury hotel, spa, winery (of course), two farm-to-fork restaurants that showcase its garden’s seasonal produce, shops and a magnificent 5ha (12 acre) garden that includes the Healing Garden, the splendid Succulent House and the Spice House, where tropical plants thrive, and a variety of trees of historical or botanical significance. The estate is also renowned for its clivia nursery.

A short distance from Babylonstoren is Soetmelksvlei, an authentic 19^th-century farmyard. You’re encouraged to interact with the master craftspeople as they go about their work, and enjoy the many farm animals. Soetmelksvlei also features a restaurant, a farm shop and even a theatre in its Old Cellar.