> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Babylonstoren: A Must-Visit in the Cape Winelands - URL: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/babylonstoren-cape-winelands/ - Published: 2026-08-11T11:52:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-11T11:55:33.000Z - Description: I finally visited Babylonstoren after years of hearing about it, and I only regret waiting so long - Author: Jess - Tags: South Africa, Wine & Cocktails, #Cape Town, Groceries & Markets *Hey there, I’m Jess* ✨*. On* [***The Signature***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/about-me/)*, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th.* [***You're welcome to join***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/#/portal/)*.* --- I had heard and read about ***Babylonstoren*** for years but had failed to visit in previous trips. This time around, I planned a proper visit. After visiting, I only regret one thing: how long it took me to go there! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/image-1.png) **Babylonstoren location, between Paarl and Franschhoek* ***Babylonstoren*** is more than just a wine estate. It is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain in the Franschhoek wine valley. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9529.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9532.jpg) **The Babylonstoren entrance, where you are handed a much needed map to visit the Estate* Beyond the extensive vineyards, you can visit its vast fruit and vegetable garden, as well as a wine museum, a Farm Hotel & Spa, restaurants, culture spots, bakeries and a gorgeous and rustic shopping area with its farm shop, a fromagerie, a butcher shop and a home goods area. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9545.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9539.jpg) **The estate at Babylonstoren is wonderfully kept and you can meet some lovely animals too* This precious estate is located between Franschhoek and Paarl, close to [**the Fairview Wine & Cheese Estate**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/fairview-wine-cheese-cape-town-review/) which I also love. I visited when going from [**Mont Rochelle**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/our-stay-at-mont-rochelle-in-franschhoek/) to the [**Table Bay hotel**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/the-hotel-stay-that-became-a-ritual-my-love-letter-to-cape-towns-table-bay-hotel/), with the car filled with yummy ***Babylonstoren*** foods and goods to take back home. 🚂 ****Franschhoek Wine Tram**: you can access the Babylonstoren Estate with the [Orange Line](https://winetram.co.za/hop-on-hop-off/orange-line/?ref=thesignaturejess.com). #### More South African / Western Cape Wineries reviews: **In alphabetical order:* - [****Asara**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/south-africa-wineries-asara-wine-estate-hotel-in/) - [****Babylonstoren**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/babylonstoren-cape-winelands/) - [****Delaire Graff**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/wine-tasting-at-delaire-graff-south-africa/) - [****Fairview**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/fairview-wine-cheese-cape-town-review/) - Groot Constantia - Haute Cabrière - [****Le Lude**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/south-africa-afternoon-tea-at-le-lude-estate-franschhoek-cape-town/) - [****Leeu Estates**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/south-africa-la-petite-colombe-at-leeu-estate-in-franschhoek-cape-town/) - [****Maison**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/south-africa-lunch-at-chefs-warehouse-maison-cape-town/) - [****Mont Rochelle**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/our-stay-at-mont-rochelle-in-franschhoek/) - [****Tokara Wine Estate**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tokara-winery-stellenbosch-cape-town-review/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9560.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9541.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9571.jpg) **Sights from the garden at Babylonstoren - July 2026* If it is ripe, you can eat it. It's one of the rules when strolling. That is how we could eat the most amazing tangerines (or clementines? I never know which is which!). It was amazing to just slowly stroll around the gardens and check on the workers keeping up the estate with such care, greet them and enjoy the quiet silence of farm life. It was quite a rewarding experience and you tend to forget you are surrounded by other people walking on the grounds as well. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9597.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9598.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9596.jpg) **Babylonstoren bakery pit stop with coffee and baked goods* At the end of our slow stroll, filled with pictures, listening to the water streams, appreciating the architecture and the hard work, with snippets of conversation and silence, it was time to fuel up. We stopped at the bakery for some coffee and baked goods. A flat white and a ham croissant for me. An americano and an almond croissant for the husband. We split a *melktert*, a traditional South African dessert that can be translated to milk tart. Quite similar to the Portuguese *pastel de nata*, but with more milk. It took me right back [**to this farm stay in Namibia**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/namibia-sandwerf-review/), where I had a *melktert* for the first time. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9617.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9593.jpg) **July is Blood Orange season at Babylonstoren* After that delicious meal *sur le pouce*, it was time for some shopping. I was completely in awe with the Babylonstoren shop. We were at the premises in peak Blood Orange season so it was part of the decoration. The display of dried orange slices reminded me of the *Mercado dos Lavradores*, the main market in Funchal, Madeira, with its famous red peppers. We purchased some olive oil, olives and rusks at the grocery store. I wished we had a flat to cook so that we could purchase the amazing produce and meats they also had. Some other time... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9604.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9583.jpg) **Preserved goods and pottery barn at Babylonstoren - July 2026* Then we visited the Wine Museum, quite a small yet cute space with a comprehensive array of information about wine production in South Africa and around the world. We could also see wine packaging from different eras and countries, as well as tips on wine pairing and temperature. A quick visit is a must. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9627.jpg) **A Wine World Map displayed at the Wine Museum at Babylonstoren - July 2026* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9652.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9636.jpg) **The Wine Museum at Babylonstoren - July 2026* Our last stop was at the gorgeous Home Goods store, where candles and soaps are produced daily. You can see the production line as you enter and the space is filled with the most incredible scents. I wish I could convey smell through my writing! We had to limit ourselves at this point because of our luggage space but still managed to purchase a couple of candles and insect-repellent creams in small pocket size tins, very useful in our side of the world. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9654.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9656.jpg) **The Home Goods store at Babylonstoren - July 2026* You leave ***Babylonstoren*** a few hours later completely reinvigorated by the experience: from the people to the gardens, from the streams to the animals, from the baked goods to the wine, from the beautiful architecture to the sense of nature. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9555-1.jpg) **Ducks enjoying a swim and a drink at the gardens of Babylonstoren - July 2026* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/08/IMG_9592-1.jpg) **The Babylonstoren gardens - July 2026* --- **Like this content and want more?* You can* [***subscribe to get a monthly edit***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/#/portal/) *and we can connect also on* [**BlueSky**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/eebbfd7d?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**TikTok**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/3a8dd75f?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Youtube**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/5cd54466?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Pinterest**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/f6c35afb?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb)