Most people come for the garden and stay to eat at Babel, the Greenhouse or the Old Bakery. Babylonstoren describes itself as one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms: laid out in 1692 at the foot of the Simonsberg, and owned by Koos Bekker and Karen Roos since 2007. Just getting in costs R190 for adults, with under-18s free, as of September 2026. It opens daily except 25 December.
- farm established
- 1692
- of vines, 13 varieties
- 120 ha
- adult entry, as of Sept 2026
- R190
- tasting of seven wines, as of Sept 2026
- R220
Around 120 hectares are planted with 13 varieties, the highest vines at about 600 metres. The first wine came only from the 2011 harvest. A tasting of seven wines costs from R220, a short express round R95, and seats go to whoever arrives first (as of September 2026). The wine museum, The Story of Wine, is free. For the two-hour cellar tour at 10am, 1pm or 4pm you pay R650 in advance, and under-18s cannot join.
The farm also has a hotel, a spa and Soetmelksvlei, a farmstead in late 19th-century style. The Franschhoek Wine Tram brings you here on the Orange line, but the entry fee still applies: Babylonstoren is the only estate on the tram route that charges one. If you hold an annual membership through the app, note that since 1 May 2026 it no longer covers The Newt in Somerset, England.
- Cost
- entry R190 (under 18 free), tasting from R220, express R95, cellar tour R650, as of September 2026
- When
- daily except 25 December, as of September 2026
Our tipSort out your ride home before you taste. Travellers report waiting 15 minutes or more for an Uber at Babylonstoren in the evening, and sometimes finding no driver at all.
Babylonstoren: frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to enter Babylonstoren?
Yes, Babylonstoren charges adults an entry fee, while under-18s get in free (as of September 2026). This also applies if you arrive on the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
Can you book a wine tasting at Babylonstoren?
The standard tasting at Babylonstoren cannot be booked; seats go to whoever arrives first. The cellar tour, on the other hand, must be paid in advance and is for over-18s only.
How long has Babylonstoren been making wine?
The Babylonstoren farm below the Simonsberg dates from 1692, but its first own wine came from the 2011 harvest. Today it has around 120 hectares of vines with 13 varieties.