Shades of SUMMER

Welcome, 2026! We’re ringing in the new year with bitterlekker and sticky, gelato-covered fingers. 

Summer on the farm is a time of taking it slow, and we’re relishing the carefree spirit of the holidays. Children frolicking in the shallow ponds in the citrus block. Sun-drenched days stretching into pink-tinged evenings. Straw hats and lunches that linger… Do join us for a bitterlekker under the oaks or a stroll through the garden. The gates will be open every day, New Year’s Day included. 

The farm and garden are bustling with life as the height of harvest season approaches. From Afri-Rose and Afri-Blush apples and almonds, marrows and peppers, herbs, heirloom cucumbers and aubergines to the highly anticipated vineyard harvest – our gardeners and winemakers are working away just as enthusiastically as the bees among the blooms. 

2026 Workshops at Babylonstoren & Soetmelksvlei 

New skills on your resolution list? Make 2026 the year you invest in yourself – there are plenty of workshops to choose from at Babylonstoren and Soetmelksvlei. From baking and pruning to cultivating plants and hammering your own soup ladle, our workshops offer something for every interest. We’ve added plenty of new experiences, including workshops on Saturdays. Make sure to book your spot well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

The slow pace of yesteryear 

Let that holiday feeling linger with a slow-paced excursion to Soetmelksvlei this January – we are open from Monday to Sunday until 18 January. Bring the kids to visit the animals, separate milk by hand and marvel at the industriousness of a 19th century farmyard. Our holiday programme is jam-packed with fun activities, from a treasure hunt and kite-making to a full-day survival challenge for children over 10. All the details are on the Soetmelksvlei website. 

A Year in Bloom 

A fresh new year calls for a beautiful new calendar! Designed to flip neatly over a hanger, our 2026 calendar features 13 months’ worth of inspirational images, haikus, seasonal tips and recipes to carry you from season to season. It’s a beautiful bit of botany for every month of the year. “I hope people see it not just as a calendar, but as a gentle reminder to slow down and notice the beauty in every season,” says Susan Brand, head of design. 

Linger a little longer 

Why rush into the year when you can glide? Take lazy strolls beneath orchard canopies, linger over long lunches, and slip into the crystal-clear mountain pool reserved just for our hotel guests. It’s the perfect moment to stay a while. Book two nights at the Babylonstoren Farm Hotel between 8 January and 28 February and get 20% off. 

A toast to the new 

We’re thrilled to announce a double celebration: the Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2023 has achieved an outstanding 95 points in the Platter’s 2026 Wine Guide, and our In Die Wolke Pinot Noir 2020 has joined the merit list with a stellar 93. Even better? They’re both right at home in summer. Enjoy the Nebukadnesar gently chilled alongside a generous table, or reach for the Pinot Noir – the ultimate summer red – when the evenings run warm and the company is good. 

Introducing BabylonSTORIES 

A new year brings a new treat from the farm. Say hello to BabylonSTORIES, our new vodcast celebrating the remarkable people, plants and places that make Babylonstoren what it is. Each episode dives into the daily magic of the farm – from buzzing hives to succulent havens, heritage kitchens and flourishing gardens. Expect insightful conversations with the experts who shape the Babylonstoren experience, filmed right where their stories unfold. It’s an invitation to explore the farm anew, through the voices of those who bring it to life. Find the episodes on Spotify, YouTube and Apple, as well as on the Babylonstoren app. 

Workshops in December 

Babylonstoren 

20 January – Crafting Kokedamas 

21 January – Discover the secret life of bees

27 January – Craft your own homemade soaps

Soetmelksvlei 

23 January – Heirloom tomatoes: bake your own galette with traditional butter pastry

29 January – Pickle & preserve with summer’s abundance

30 January – Bake your own savoury breads