New Babylonstoren Tasting Room

Babylonstoren is one of those places, once you have been, you will want to go back – again and again! My most recent visit to the farm was for the unveiling of the stunning New Babylonstoren Tasting Room!

Babylonstoren Tasting Room

Last year marked my first trip to Babylonstoren to experience their wine tasting and cellar tour, as well as a delicious lunch at Babel! The original wine tasting venue on the farm was their cosy tasting room in the old werf {homestead}. With the Estate’s sixth harvest on the horizon, I was invited to enjoy their new tasting experience, in the purpose-built wine-tasting centre.

The eye-catching steel-and-glass creation forms a contemporary link between the two Cape Dutch-style wings of the wine cellar. It is a perfect example of Babylonstoren’s philosophy of embracing both heritage and innovation. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer breathtaking views over the vineyards towards the small rocky peak that gave the farm its name. The beautiful central bar, bedecked in bright green tiles, mirrors the lush vineyards beyond.

“We wanted to complement the very light and transparent feeling of the space with an interior that played up the visual links to the vineyard,” explains Philippe van der Merwe from interior design agency Tonic.

Alongside the Babylonstoren tasting room, a revamped retail space has also been created. Original farm implements and packing crates, create a gentle farm motif in the triple-volume space.

Sprankel

The highlight of the wine tasting, for me, was my first taste of Sprankel, Babylonstoren’ s first Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wine. A rather simple name – Sprankel {sparkle} belies the complexity of the wine. This Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine, made in the time-honoured Champagne method, requires both dedication and patience. After a secondary fermentation in the bottle, the wine is matured on the lees for a full 48 months before disgorgement.

Cellar master Charl Coetzee’s decision to keep the wine as an ‘ ultra-brut’ with zero dosage, has resulted in fantastic biscuit and brioche flavours, perfectly balanced by a lively acidity and notes of fresh apple, lime and grapefruit.

Sprankel is a truly delicious sparkling wine, perfect for sipping over lunch with good friends or celebrating a special occasion! At R495 a bottle, it is by no means a cheap wine, but if you are looking for a unique bottle of bubbly, it is worth it!

Snack Platters

For me, a wine tasting is not complete, without a few tasty morsels to snack on! Babylonstoren now offers a range of delicious “snack platters”, to complement your wine tasting.

Platters include charcuterie, cheeses, pâté and fresh fruits and vegetables from the estate, food to tantalise all your senses! They range between R150-R200 and include two glasses of Chenin Blanc or Babel Red Blend, or a tasting of the Babylonstoren range of wines.

Wine Tasting & Tours

The tasting room is open Monday – Sunday, from 10h00 – 18h00 {17h00 in winter}. The cost of wine tasting starts at R25 for five wines.

If you are visiting the farm and have little more time to spare, why not book an informative wine tour. The tour offers an in-depth, behind-the-scenes, look the production of the Estate’s wines. Tours start at the cellar, on the hour, between 11h00 & 15h00 and cost R50pp (includes a tasting of 5 wines). Booking is adviseable. {Please enquire about cellar tours for groups of 11-30 max.}