Celebrate Summer with Babylonstoren’s 2026 Mourvèdre Rosé
Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé: There are certain wines which seem to materialize at exactly the right moment to herald in the seasons and Babylonstoren’s flagship Mourvèdre Rosé is no exception. The newest 2026 vintage of their highly lauded Provençal-style rosé has landed in the UK with its fresh, light and fabulous arrival perfectly synched to coincide with the long-awaited onset of the warmest time of the year.
We are thrilled to announce that Babylonstoren’s 2026 Mourvèdre Rosé will be unveiled in the UK this May at the inaugural Great Garden Show at The Newt in Somerset. The Great Garden Show is a celebration of gardens, plants, flowers, trees, vines, fruit, vegetables, food, drink and everything related to horticulture and the great outdoors.
Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé
The 2026 Mourvèdre Rosé will also be poured as the official rosé of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the sixth consecutive year. For many visitors, tasting Babylonstoren’s latest rosé has become something of a seasonal tradition, a sign that summer is truly on its way.
Thanks to Babylonstoren’s southern hemisphere location in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, this is one of the first 2026 vintages to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. The new vintage benefited from a dry and successful growing season, which naturally produced smaller berries and a greater concentration of flavour in the fruit.
In the cellar utmost care was taken to preserve the fragile character of the wine. Free-run juice was separated from the press fractions immediately, in order to manage the color extracted. A small amount of the press fractions was blended back into the free-run where required.
“This vintage naturally showed deeper colour due to the dry conditions, but we’ve worked meticulously to retain that delicate, pale pink,” says cellar master Klaas Stoffberg. “It is an immense privilege to uncork the new vintage of our Mourvèdre Rosé in the UK each May, a wine that reflects the unique terroir of Babylonstoren in a consistently captivating way.”
The nose on this wine is pretty and delicate, with a light and fresh palate that is studded with flavours of watermelon, rhubarb and cherry. There are also some softer notes of candy floss and strawberry yoghurt too. The finish is long and elegant, with a broad palate that is suitable for both special occasions and more casual garden soirees.
We particularly recommend serving this wine with food and the robust Mourvèdre grape variety provides great structure to pairing it with a variety of dishes, from rare roast venison to fresh strawberries with Chantilly cream and a host of options in between. The elegant style and long finish of the Babylonstoren rosé, makes it perfect for anytime of day and also perfect for a special occasion or celebration.
Babylonstoren is a farm with a strong sense of place and history. It is a working fruit and wine farm with a 5-hectare garden, which is framed by indigenous fynbos, natural streams and farmland. The gardens are planted with a variety of orchards, vegetables, pollinating insects, historic trees, clivias, cycads and succulents. Babylonstoren was opened to the public in 2010 and it has a very holistic approach to farming, hospitality and food. The farm has 120 hectares under vine and 14 different grape cultivars are grown on the farm in a variety of soils and at different altitudes.
“There is a growing appreciation for seasonality and provenance of wine,” says Klaas. “As one of only two RHS Partner Gardens in South Africa, our Mourvèdre Rosé reflects a natural alignment between wine, gardens and outdoor living. It’s a wine designed for long lunches, garden celebrations, and relaxed summer gatherings, whether in the Cape Winelands, the English countryside or in the heart of London.”
Set in the picturesque Franschhoek Wine Valley, Babylonstoren is a working fruit and wine farm with a rich sense of place. The Babylonstoren garden, a five-hectare space, is framed by indigenous fynbos, natural streams and farmland. The orchard, vegetable garden, and spaces that encourage pollinating insects to thrive, are surrounded by historic trees, masses of clivias, and succulents, as well as cycads. Babylonstoren first opened its gates to the public in 2010, and it has since become renowned for its holistic approach to farming, hospitality, and food.
Babylonstoren opened its gates to the public in 2010. The working fruit and wine farm encompasses a thoughtful approach to farming, hospitality and food. Their wine production forms a large part of the Babylonstoren Estate with 120 hectares under vine and 14 grape varieties grown on the farm. Soil types and altitude have been a consideration when selecting the varietals and where to plant them.
Fresh and layered, delicate and confident, the 2026 Mourvèdre Rosé is perfect for sipping during the warmest months of the year and is ideal for lazy long lunches, beautiful garden parties and other summer events and celebrations.
Pale-colored, beautifully fruity and endowed with a refined finish, the Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé 2026 is a beautiful wine that embodies the spirit of summer and will provide a perfect accompaniment to simple yet lovely occasions of eating and drinking well.
Babylonstoren’s Mourvèdre Rosé 2026
RRP £18.50 (2025 vintage)
