Cape Town - You’ve lost yourself in the magnificent gardens of Babylonstoren, now it’s time to experience the wines of this historic Cape farm in the Drakenstein Valley, near Paarl.
The newly upgraded tour to the Babylonstoren wine cellar is ideal for novices and knowledgeable oenophiles alike.
The walking tour is one-hour long and gives visitors insight into the farm’s history as well as its wine growing heritage. It includes a visit to the new olive oil production plant, winery and barrel cellar, as well as an olive oil and wine tasting along the way.
You will see various examples of vine trellising, encounter the farm’s water management system, and get a front-row view of where and how Babylonstoren wines are made. Your visit concludes at the Wine Shed tasting room, where you’ll taste the final array in Babylonstoren’s portfolio and have the opportunity to add them and others to your own wine collection.
The farm has become a popular destination for visitors around the world. Amongst the oldest Cape Dutch farms, it has one of the best preserved traditional farmyards; its 3,5ha fruit and vegetable garden harks back to the Gardens of Babylon and its hotel, restaurant and spa enjoy international acclaim.
“At its inception some 322 years ago, the farm’s main occupation was to supply fresh goods to ships passing the Cape between Europe and the East,” says wine sales and marketing manager Anelle van Tonder.
“We’ve had vineyards on the farm since then, but it was only four years ago – upon the completion of our new winery - that wine was first made under the Babylonstoren name.”
The name itself hails from the small hill on the farm, which reminded early farmer Pieter van der Bijl about the Bible story of the Tower of Babel.
Babylonstoren is over 400ha in extent, with 62ha under vine. The diversity of its plantings reflects the diversity of edible plant species contained in its gardens – there are 13 grape varieties, at varying altitudes and in a multitude of terroirs, for cellar master Charl Coetzee and his team to choose from. Indeed, Babylonstoren is situated in one of South Africa’s prime winemaking areas.
“My wine making tries to capture the essence of Babylonstoren in a bottle,” says Coetzee. “We love honesty, simplicity, diversity and timelessness.”
The four farm buildings that house the winery and barrel cellar were designed by architect Gerard de Villiers and blend heritage with mordernity. Several displays along the tour deliberately link the farm’s earliest residents and families who’ve tilled its soils over the centuries, to those who now take it into the future.
The wines of Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren wines are made simply, in a state-of-the-art winery, to showcase the soils and climate where its grapes grow. Its label expresses the essence of Babylonstoren: the pipe represents the farm; the flower, the garden; and the bird, nature.
The Babylonstoren flagship range comprises a Chardonnay and a red blend named Nebukadnesar. Nebuchadnezzar was known as a colourful king of Babylonia and is credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Since this Bordeaux blend is made from five different cultivars, it is considered a celebration of Babylonstoren and its garden.
The 2012 Babylonstoren Chardonnay is the second vintage of the wine. The latest incarnation has emerged closer to a Burgundian style and displays butterscotch and vanilla tones - the result of maturation in French oak barrels. These are balanced with fresh citrus flavours and a mineral finish.
The Nebukadnesar is the youngest addition and the 2012 vintage is its first release. It was designed as a blend to celebrate the diversity of Babylonstoren and its garden and brings together five Bordeaux cultivars, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot the dominating role players. All wines were made separately, matured in new French oak barrels for 24 months.
The remainder of its portfolio comprises:
• The 2014 Babylonstoren Chenin Blanc is a light, crisp, dry and unwooded wine with notes of tropical fruit. It has a refreshing nature and presents flavours of guava and melon on the palate.
• The 2014 Babylonstoren Mourvedre Rosé is made with an unusual choice of variety for a rosé. Its salmon pink colour resembles that of onion skin. On the palate, there’s a combination of red berries and petal flavours.
• The 2014 Babylonstoren Viognier is a rich and balanced wine that showcases layers of dried peach and apricot aromas with delicate spicy notes on the nose. A small percentage of the wine was matured in French oak barrels for 8 months, imparting creaminess to the wine.
• The 2013 Babylonstoren Babel Red Blend is a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven meld of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Petit Verdot. The wines were made separately and aged in first and second-fill French oak barrels. The result is a fusion of red berry flavours and chocolate, rounded off with a hint of spice.
• The 2013 Babylonstoren Shiraz displays its terroir. Flavours that emerge from the glass are concentrated red cherry fruit, spice and flower blossoms. A wine with a lingering finish, it will get even better with some ageing.
The cellar team working alongside cellar master Charl Coetzee comprises winemaker Klaas Stoffberg and cellar assistant Moses Daniels. Anelle van Tonder is responsible for marketing and sales in Cape Town while Johannesburg is the field of Elsabe Lategan.
Stay in touch with Babylonstoren by joining its exclusive Wine Club and enjoy the benefits it offers. This includes amongst others complimentary entrance to the farm; special discount on wines; accommodation at the farm hotel; free delivery nationwide; and, invitations to special launches, social events and tastings.
As a member, you’ll also pay nothing for you and a group of up to 10 people to taste wine and do the cellar tour.
For bookings or to sign up as a member of the Babylonstoren Wine Club, call 021 863 3852 or send email to [email protected].