Winemakers On Fire, Issue #101

Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa!

In this week’s Winemakers On Fire, we share the fascinating story of Klaas Stoffberg, a Swartland local and Babylonstoren cellar master who has travelled the world to hone his winemaking skills. But it is in the shadow of the Simonsberg Mountain that he has perfected his craft. Klaas, a gifted winemaker, has been instrumental in the development and growth of Babylonstoren's wines.

His philosophy—"attention to detail and adaptability"—has yielded award-winning wines that sell out year after year. Discover how this mountain-biking cellar master transforms Babylonstoren's remarkable elevation range (150-650m) into liquid poetry, and why his winery is as much living museum as production facility. Prepare to be inspired!

Let’s dive in.

Discover the Magical World of Winemaking: Klaas Stoffberg's Story at Babylonstoren

In the shadow of the majestic Simonsberg Mountain, where history and innovation blend as seamlessly as the finest wine, Klaas Stoffberg has found his true calling. As cellar master of Babylonstoren, this Swartland native has transformed his love for science and the outdoors into liquid poetry that captures the essence of South African terroir.

From Family Roots to Global Pursuits

Growing up on his family farm in the Swartland, where vineyards flourished and grapes were delivered to Windmeul Co-op, Stoffberg developed an early connection to viticulture. While architecture initially beckoned as a potential career path, the perfect marriage of scientific precision and outdoor adventure that winemaking offered proved irresistible.

"I always loved science and the outdoors," Stoffberg reflects, "so winemaking was the perfect collaboration."

His journey took flight beyond South African borders, beginning at a mammoth 95,000-tonne winery in Napa Valley. Rather than merely refining his palate, this experience taught him the intricate systems behind running a large-scale operation. Returning to South Africa, he honed his craft at Rust en Vrede before embarking on perhaps his most transformative expedition—to Bordeaux's St. Emilion.

Working alongside Hubert de Boüard (owner of the legendary Château Angélus) at Clos des Jacobins marked a pivotal shift in Stoffberg's approach. "In France, I fell in love with wine and the way of thinking about wine," he reveals. Here, the philosophy shifted dramatically from quantity to an almost religious devotion to quality.

The Global Tapestry of Influence

Stoffberg's winemaking passport continued to collect stamps with harvests across Chianti, Tuscany, the Rhône Valley, and Burgundy. After five years crafting premium wines at Ernie Els Wines, he brought this global perspective to Babylonstoren, where it informs every bottle.

"I learnt from my travels and previous experiences that to create a special wine, it takes attention to detail, and you need to be able to adapt to the situation in front of you," he explains, distilling years of international experience into a philosophy that guides his current approach.

The Magic of Simonsberg's Slopes

What makes Babylonstoren's wines truly exceptional? The answer lies partly in a quirk of colonial land distribution. Stoffberg explains that historically, farms around Simonsberg-Paarl were allocated in narrow, elongated strips stretching up the mountain, ensuring each farmer had access to the Bergriver flowing through town.

This historical happenstance has become Babylonstoren's modern blessing. "The advantage we now have is that we have all these elevations and slopes to work with to build complexity in the wines," Stoffberg notes. With vineyards ranging from 150 to 650 meters above sea level, the estate can craft wines with remarkable depth and character that speak eloquently of their origin.

A Living Museum of Winemaking

Step into Babylonstoren's cellar and you're walking through a three-dimensional timeline of vinification techniques. The winery serves as both working cellar and educational showcase, displaying the evolution of winemaking vessels through the ages—all still in active use.

"The idea behind the layout of Babylonstoren's winery is to show guests on the cellar tour all the different vessels people used throughout the history of winemaking," Stoffberg explains. From modern stainless steel tanks to traditional French oak barrels, raised cement vats to clay amphorae and cutting-edge Nomblot cement eggs, each container imparts different characteristics to the wines aging within.

This living museum isn't just for show—it's central to crafting the complex, nuanced wines that have earned Babylonstoren its sterling reputation. Visitors can experience this vinicultural journey through daily tours that culminate in tastings in the atmospheric underground cellar.

The Art of Balance

When asked about favourites among the 13 grape varieties cultivated at Babylonstoren, Stoffberg responds with characteristic thoughtfulness: "You can't choose between your children." Each variety, he explains, plays its unique role in the estate's final blends, with meticulous attention given to each throughout the growing and winemaking process.

This philosophy mirrors Babylonstoren's core values, embodied in its logo: simplicity and connection to the earth. "Our wines are a combination of the very essence of Babylonstoren—keeping things simple and as true to the earth as possible," Stoffberg affirms. "Truth to the area we are situated in on the slopes of Simonsberg, and simplicity by making elegant and balanced wines as natural as possible."

Beyond the Cellar

Stoffberg's life doesn't begin and end at the cellar door. An avid mountain biker, trail runner, and golfer, he believes these pursuits complement and enhance his winemaking.

"Being outdoors often keeps you in contact with nature and your senses sharp," he explains. There's a practical aspect too—"Cycling or running through the vineyards helps you recognise things someone in a bakkie driving past won't be able to see." These activities aren't mere hobbies but extensions of his winemaking philosophy, keeping him attuned to the subtle rhythms of the land.

Even his love for golf serves a purpose beyond recreation. "Golf is the perfect networking platform between friends and customers," he observes. "It levels the playing field and shows the true character of the person you are dealing with."

A Legacy of Excellence

Under Stoffberg's guidance, Babylonstoren's wines have garnered impressive accolades. When asked about his most significant achievement, his answer reveals a pragmatic approach to success: "Accolades are a good measurement to see if you are heading in the right direction. It's difficult to single out one, but to sell out on all our wines every year must be up there."

Recent triumphs include Babylonstoren's Nebukadnesar 2020, a Cabernet-led blend, being named Red Wine of the Year at the National Wine Challenge 2023, building on its previous 95-point review from Gilbert & Gaillard. The estate's Babel red blend secured top honors at the Shiraz SA Challenge 2023, earning a spot among the top three Shiraz blends. Perhaps most impressively, Babylonstoren's Shiraz claimed one of only twenty-six coveted gold medals at the prestigious Syrah du Monde competition in France's Northern Rhône Valley.

The estate itself has been equally decorated, winning the Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences category at the Best of Wine Tourism Awards 2022, the Accommodation title in 2023, and most recently the Architecture & Landscape award in 2025.

These accolades testify to Stoffberg's skill in capturing the unique character of Babylonstoren's terroir in each bottle—a delicate alchemy of place, tradition, and innovation that has earned him recognition as one of South Africa's most talented winemakers. Through his global perspective and local dedication, he continues to elevate not just Babylonstoren but the entire South African wine industry on the world stage.

Key Data Trends in Wine Tourism

Wine tourism is currently one of the fastest-growing niches within the global tourism industry, outpacing many other forms of tourism in terms of growth rate. Here's how wine tourism compares to other types of tourism based on the latest data:

Growth Rates and Market Size

Wine Tourism:

• The global wine tourism market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7% from 2025 to 2035, reaching $358.6 billion by 2035.

• This growth is driven by increasing demand for immersive wine experiences, including vineyard tours, tastings, and food pairings, as well as sustainability-focused initiatives and technological advancements.

Adventure Tourism:

• Adventure tourism is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2025 to 2035, which is slower than wine tourism.

• While adventure tourism benefits from rising interest in outdoor activities and eco-tourism, it does not match the rapid expansion seen in wine tourism.

Food Tourism:

• The food tourism market is also growing steadily, with a CAGR of 12.4% between 2020 and 2024 and a projected CAGR of 12.7% from 2025 to 2035. It is expected to reach $90.4 billion by 2035.

• Food tourism shares similarities with wine tourism in its focus on experiential travel and culinary exploration but remains smaller in overall market size.

Here's what you missed last week...

Imagine conquering a world-class mountain biking singletrack that climbs 1,000 meters above sea level, then toasting your victory with its namesake organic wine. Welcome to Canetsfontein Estate, where the legendary "Cliffhanger" trail attracts international MTB enthusiasts to Wellington's breathtaking Bainskloof Pass.

Winemaker Frank Meaker has ingeniously captured this adventurous spirit in Cliffhanger Organic Red—a sulphur-free wine naturally preserved with indigenous rooibos and honeybush. This destination perfectly blends adrenaline and relaxation, offering visitors the rare chance to experience both heart-pumping trails and innovative viticulture in one unforgettable South African setting.

Get ready to be inspired.

Until next Tuesday, keep your glass full and your taste buds curious.