In 1662, on the 17th of April, the first apple was picked at the Cape. It was the Witte Wijnappel. In 1692, Babylonstoren Farm was granted to burgher Pieter van der Byl by the then Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel. Prior to that, the Drakenstein Valley had been inhabited by the nomadic … Read more
At the 41st Annual Loerie Awards, which took place on 23 August 2019 at the Durban ICC, Babylonstoren’s 2019 Calendar was awarded Silver in the Graphic Design category. Congratulations to the Babylonstoren team – Maranda Engelbrecht, Adel Ferreira and Mercia Maree. Their 2020 calendar will be in the Farm Shop and Online by mid-October.
Everyone agrees that there is just something extraordinary and exceptional about popping open a bottle of your favourite Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) and even more so if this special experience happens to take place in a breathtaking setting in the Franschhoek Wine Valley. It is certainly the ultimate in celebrating life’s biggest moments and these … Read more
The Franschhoek Wine Valley has been blessed with an abundance of much needed rain this past season. Not only is the Berg River dam full, but the valley is looking absolutely spectacular. The trees are in full bloom as their blossoms symbolise the first signs of Spring and the vineyards are looking healthy and green, … Read more
Leeu Estates, the flagship property of Leeu Collection, is the only hotel in the Cape Winelands to have achieved the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA)’s new 5-Star Premium status, which was introduced in April 2019 to recognise exceptional 5-star properties that have reached the pinnacle of quality where facilities, amenities and service co-exist … Read more
Celebrating everything “Bright and Light” will be the theme of the sixth annual Protea Party, taking place at the spectacular Anthonij Rupert Estate in Franschhoek on Saturday 26 October 2019. Regarded as one of the Cape Winelands’ social calendar highlights, Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s annual winelands harvest-style feast promises a night not to forget as it … Read more
This year’s Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards saw a staggering 328 wines entered for the 2019 competition, with the results of these announced at a special awards ceremony on 1 August. Judged by a panel of highly esteemed industry role players, , the Franschhoek Wine Valley excelled in the district winners category, scooping 16 awards … Read more
Unfortunately, due to recent heavy rains, which has resulted in unforeseen rockfalls, the Franschhoek Pass was closed on 22 June due to safety reasons. This pass connects Franschhoek with neighbouring town Villiersdorp and the Theewaterskloof Dam. Remedial works on the Franschhoek Pass is currently underway. Following a geotechnical investigation into the extent and nature of … Read more