Posted by Nande Bija 
on
22 August 2023 8:45 AM
CAT
Rock exhibition in the Puff Adder at Babylonstoren
Admire the rock exhibition in the Puff Adder walkway until the end of August. Sourced from far and wide, our collection of rocks includes samples of 19 of the geological groups that define our farm and surrounding regions. Their quirky nicknames will guarantee a chuckle!
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The Rhebok 2019
Rolanie blends varietals that are known to be workhorses, adding structure rather than aromatics, and that age well for up to seven years. The 2019 vintage is composed of 86% mourvèdre, 10% durif and 4% shiraz. It has garnered a cluster of awards, including scoring 92 in the 2022 Tim Atkin report, and gold in the Berliner Wine Trophy 2022.
The structure, she says, is padded by plush and opulent fruit, layered with a savoury black olive note. A touch of floral character from the shiraz comes through on the back palate, and the oak from the barrel ageing is seamlessly integrated, adding spicy notes to the mid-palate. “The Rhebok is one of my favourite wines in our signature range,” Rolanie says. “Unconventional, complex and intriguing, it perfectly showcases the unique terroir of Rhebokskloof.”
The complex fruit and spice notes (think berry compote, plums, black cherry and baking spices) pair beautifully with rich, slow-braised meats and stews (braais and grilled steaks too).
Estate Rhebokskloof
Wine The Rhebok 2019
Winemaker Rolanie Lotz
Wine region Paarl
Cultivar Mourvèdre, Durif, Shiraz
Alcohol 14%
Food pairing Beef, Game, Lamb, Pork, Poultry, Veal
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We are blessed with wonderful sunshine days in the Cape Winelands during the winter. Come rain or shine, Paarl has something to offer for that romantic getaway or a spot where the kids can run around and be entertained.
Read our July newsletter to find out more.
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Where Paarl
The special Pearl of Paarl Package
Cost R5 450 per night
R6 950 per night with couples’ massage option
Valid until 30 September 2023
The details Designed as a complete spoil for a romantic escape, the Pearl of Paarl package lets you unwind, dine and soak up the blissful tranquillity of this historic wine estate and its beautiful gardens. The package includes one night for two guests sharing a Terrace Suite, plus:
- full English breakfast
- sunset canapés and cocktail of the day
- four-course sharing-plate dinner experience at the hotel’s restaurant
- a bottle of Under Oaks wine with dinner
- a 60-minute couple’s massage (optional)
About Celebrating three decades as a luxury Winelands destination, Grande Roche combines three centuries of history, stunning mountain views, classic Cape Dutch architecture and productive vines right up to the doorstep. With chef Kevin Grobler at the helm in the restaurant, it has become an inspiring gourmet getaway with its sharing-plates approach. There is a pool courtyard complete with palm trees, loungers and an indoor bar, plus a small treatment room for pampering, and all of Paarl’s urban attractions are a short stroll away.
Good to know To extend your stay, you can pay an extra R3 500 per night.
MAKE A RESERVATION
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Located on the beautiful eight-hectare La Bella Vita Wine Estate, you’ll find this one-of-a-kind haven neatly tucked between Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Leading treatments with a hydrotherapy and vinotherapy focus, organic meals and a world-class holistic ethos make it unique – and give the top Swiss escapes a run for their money.
Lay of the land The majestic, double-storey day spa boasts a menu of over 40 treatments in 17 zones, with an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, a hammam and rasul chamber, Kniepp therapy, steam rooms and saunas, a calming labyrinth and sun-kissed dining area for lovely, light lunches that can be enjoyed in your spa gown and slippers, should you so desire…
There’s more In addition to the extensive Day Spa, the retreat offers multi-day wellness programmes, a one-of-a-kind high-tech Health Optimizing Clinic, Bio-Energy Centre, fitness centre, yoga studio and 17 overnight suites.
Recommended treatment The exclusive Pro-Sleep Massage, using soft mask brushes, special music and tranquillity oil, is very effective at relaxing the body and calming the mind.
Cost R1 600 for 60 minutes
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 9am – 6pm
Contact 021 879 1500, spa@santeretreat.co.za
Where to find it Simonsvlei Road, off the R101 (Old Paarl Road), Klapmuts/Paarl
ENQUIRE NOW
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Babylonstoren needs no introduction, with its awe-inspiring gardens. Add a luxe spa inspired by those magnificent gardens and, trust us, you’ll want to move in. Being on a working farm, where natural beauty seems infinite, is what sets this spa apart. Combining the rejuvenating qualities of water, heat and herbs picked on site, you can indulge in a number of therapies performed in gorgeous spaces.
Lay of the land You’ll find it hidden towards the back of the farm, within a forest of bamboo. There are five treatment rooms, a rasul chamber, tropical rain showers, sauna and steam room, plus two of the few authentic hammams (Turkish baths) in South Africa.
There’s more There’s a stunning heated indoor pool area, with two built-in vitality pools (jacuzzis) and even a fireplace, plus a room made of pink Himalayan salt blocks. Healthy, wholesome food and fresh juice is available.
Recommended treatment The Private Hammam Water Ritual includes a full-body exfoliation, dynamic flexing, body butter application and a head and scalp treatment. This has a couples version, and a honey-and-salt scrub with steam option.
Cost R3 100 for 60 minutes (note: spa guests do not have to pay the garden entrance fee)
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 9am – 5pm
Contact 021 300 3929, spa@babylonstoren.com
Where to find it Klapmuts-Simondium Road, off the R44, between Stellenbosch and Paarl
ENQUIRE NOW
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Posted by Nande Bija on
27 March 2023 11:15 PM
CAT
SATURDAY SUNSET STOEP SESSIONS
Saturday 18 March 2023
15:00 – 18:00
Take a leisurely drive out to Paarl for Nederburg’s relaxing Sunset Stoep Sessions.
Expect laid-back entertainment, savour a glass of wine, and feast on local flavours served on platters while watching the sunset over the lush vineyards and majestic Drakenstein Mountains.
Bring the kids along to enjoy the play area in the garden with games, jungle gyms and zip-lines, a tree house, swings and more. Lawn games for adults are also available.
Guests above the age of 18 are served a complimentary sundowner at 17:30. The live music performances start at 15:00 (until 18:00).
No cost – booking in advance is advised.
Make your reservation by contacting the team at The Manor at 021 877 5155 or info@nederburg.com.
Contact details:
Physical address: Nederburg Wines, Sonstraal Road, Dal Josafat, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa
Tel: 021 862 3104 or 021 877 5155
E-mail: info@nederburg.com
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Posted by Nande Bija on
17 March 2023 12:00 PM
CAT
Viciously delicious prickly pears
The bountiful late-summer produce from the farm includes a Babylonstoren favourite… prickly pears in all varieties and colours – ranging from green and yellow to orange and red. We recently re-planted our adored prickly pear maze, one of the favourite Instagrammable spots in the garden. The new plants are growing rapidly and in another couple of years, the spiky cacti will once again reach above our heads. Guests can sink their teeth into this delicacy in our restaurants and they are available for purchase from our Farm Shop and online at shop.babylonstoren.com.
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Paarl Wine Region put in a stellar performance at the prestigious Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards. The trophy for the top South African producer went to Paarl-based Nederburg Wine Estate. In addition, five of the Top 21 class trophies were also awarded to Paarl wines.
This year saw the 26th edition of this highly respected competition, which allows South African producers the opportunity to have their wines judged locally by an experienced panel of international experts. All entries are judged blind by panels of five judges, using the 100-point international recognised OIV judging system.
According to Luan Aucamp, chairman of the Paarl Wine Route, this has been quite a remarkable performance by their various producers. “Michelangelo presents quite an interesting perspective of how our wines are perceived globally. In total, Paarl wines received 89 awards ranging from top producer, best in class and medals. This has certainly once again established the Paarl Wine Route as a highly competitive wine region. It is particularly satisfying to see the diversity of cultivars that came out tops.
This will undoubtedly cement our reputation as a prominent player in the South African wine industry. It also proofs that as a region, we can offer wine lovers a wide variety of superior wines to appeal to a range of palates.”
Wineries that came out as best in class with the highest scores in their respective classes or categories, included Nederburg, Anura, Perdeberg, Ridgeback and Windmeul. The medal haul for Paarl continued with a further four platinum medals, which indicate that a wine scored a commendable 96 or more points. Boland, KWV, Nederburg and Perdeberg were amongst the only 19 entries globally to achieve this incredible level of excellence in 2022. Double gold medals for scores over 93 points went to another 31 Paarl wines, including several smaller producers, who are well known in the international market. In addition, there were also 37 gold and seven silver medals handed to Paarl producers.
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Children, we love them and understand that mealtimes in restaurants is a grown-up thing and that little feet want to run and climb and little hands hate using a knife and fork but would rather paint and draw.
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