What’s on in November?
October 24th, 2024
It’s the season of abundance as the vines and orchards are alive with activity. Expert hands prep the summer crops for a bumper harvest, and Moestuin’s last spring planting is under way.
Wonder awaits …
Our festive season kicks off on the farm in mid-November with a touch of wonder. This year, we revel in the childlike joy of summer holidays, the anticipation of something special. Of friends and family gathered around and a krismisbed in the lounge. Late nights and lazy mornings, and the unwrapping of a magical moment among your dearest …
On the farm, a Christmas tree showcasing the farm’s abundance will welcome visitors to the ticket office, while more festive surprises will be scattered around the farm. The annual pop-up Christmas shop will open its doors in the Scented Room again, where gifts are wrapped at a complimentary wrapping station before you head home.
If you aren’t lucky enough to visit the farm in person, our festive offering – and so much more – is available online at shop.babylonstoren.com.
Come smell the roses
November is the month of roses as the pergolas groan under their unbelievable beauty. Follow the sweet-smelling fragrance all the way to the garden where heritage favourites such as Mme Alfred Carrière, Lamarque, Albéric Barbier, Souvenir de la Malmaison and Mermaid are in full bloom. It’s the best time to see – and smell – these beauties at their absolute best.
You can also book our sought-after Fragrant Roses workshop in November or see them on the daily garden tour with one of our experts. The garden tour is free, but bookings are essential.
The favourite farm-to-fork
Babel Restaurant has a new feather in its cap. It was named Africa’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant at the 2024 World Culinary Awards. Since opening in 2010, Babel has adhered to a simple yet profound principle: celebrating the freshest seasonal fare from the farm, reflecting its “pick, clean and serve” approach.
Babel’s culinary team, guided by chef Schalk Vlok, ensures that each dish reflects the essence of South African farm life and flavours. Ingredients are often served in their most natural state, with roots and leaves still attached, preserving a direct link between the farm and the table.
Book for Babel and arrive early to enjoy an aperitif at the Babel oyster cart during the sunny months. We’re shucking fresh West Coast oysters under the trees in the courtyard and serving them ice cold – with a glass of bubbles if you please.
Rest at the best
We are proud to announce the Babylonstoren Farm Hotel was voted best hotel in South Africa in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 (US), as well as Leading Country House Hotel in the recent 2024 World Travel Awards held in Kenya. We were also awarded best Architecture and Landscape at this year’s Best of Wine Tourism Awards.
These awards affirm our dedication to offering guests a true Winelands experience, with Boland warmth and hospitality at its core.
“Above all, we’d like visitors to ground themselves again. To enjoy the mountains all around, pick their own healthy fruit and veg, swim in the farm dam, enjoy an hour in the spa, eat a simple fresh dish, walk up the conical Babylonstoren hill, await the sunset with a glass of wine in hand, and then slip in between sheets of crisp linen and drift away … more or less.” – Babylonstoren owner, Karen Roos.
Winning wines
You don’t have to be on the farm to enjoy the world-class Winelands experience. Just in time for the festive season, the beloved Babylonstoren Sprankel Cap Classique scored double gold at the 2024 Veritas Awards – again.
This marks the third consecutive year that Sprankel secured double gold at SA’s longest running and most prestigious wine and brandy competition. On top of the Veritas Awards, Sprankel has had a superb year.
- Double gold at the Michelangelo Awards
- Double gold at the National Wine Challenge
- 92/100 according to Tim Atkin
- 91/100 according to the International Wine Challenge
- 5 stars from John Platter
- Named the best Cap Classique in South Africa for 2024
Cheers to that … and to popping some top-class bubbles this festive season!
Apart from the Babylonstoren golden girl Sprankel, Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2022 and Babylonstoren Babel 2023 also earned gold at the recent Veritas Awards. Babylonstoren’s silver standout is the Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2023 – a full-bodied wine with characteristic spicy citrus aromas that are softened by complex vanilla and nut flavours.
Home for the holidays or kicking back along the coast? Order online from anywhere in SA and we’ll deliver your favourite wines to wherever you are.
Workshops in November
1 November – Cape cookery: traditional melktert, melkkos & koesisters
5 November – Grow your own seasonal vegetables
6 November – Create a natural freshwater pond
7 November – Festive table: showstopping summer salads
8 November – Master meat: make your own salami & charcuterie
12 November – Summer decor from the garden
13 November – Fragrant garden roses
15 November – Bake your own: teatime treats with choux pastry & almond cake
20 November – Birding at Babylonstoren
21 November – Love the taste of culinary herbs
22 November – Cape cooking: traditional bobotie with seasonal chutney
26 November – Discover the secret life of bees
27 November – Grow your own edible and cut flowers
28 November – Pasta from scratch with mozzarella
29 November – Handcrafts at Soetmelksvlei: plant pressing
