Rickety Bridge Winery Inc.

The Franschhoek wine estate, Rickety Bridge, has a winemaking history dating back to the 17th century. It was once part of the original La Provence farm granted to the first French Huguenots who settled in Oliphantshoek (Elephants Corner) and renamed the area, Franschhoek, or ‘French Corner’. Over the years La Provence was subdivided and in 1797 the land which is now known as Rickety Bridge wine estate was granted to the widow, Paulina De Villiers, and she planted the first vines there. Rickety Bridge wine estate is situated less than 3 kilometres from the centre of the quaint Franschhoek town and nestles against the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains overlooking the majestic Wemmershoek Mountain range. This position gives the estate a range of aspects and soil types for growing different varieties of grapes. The lower flatland of the estate is covered by sandy soils being close the Franschhoek River which crosses in front of the estate’s lower border. The hillside provides the wine estate with decomposed granite soils which are ideal for growing high quality red grapes required for producing premium red wine. Rickety Bridge wine estate is 50 Hectares in area of which only 15 Hectares are currently dedicated to vineyard, with a further 6 hectares under development. The remaining 35 Hectares are made up of buildings, dams and pine forest. Rickety Bridge wine estate is a popular destination in the Cape winelands with a long winemaking history, although reminiscent of the past, and nostalgic and timeless; this estate is also ‘all things new’ and ‘all thing delectable’ and ‘all things sublime’. This historic wine estate boasts a myriad of facets to offer the discerning consumer. Rickety Bridge wine estate offers a superb restaurant, wedding facilities and packages, and has both conferencing and luxury accommodation offerings. Shadowed by the Dassenberg mountains, the mild Franschhoek valley is the perfect canvas for our winemakers to create a portfolio of outstanding Franschhoek wines. The flagship range, Paulina’s Reserve, proudly bears the name of the original owner, Paulina de Villiers. In particular the flagship, a king among South African red wines, the Paulina’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. These distinctive South African wines, as well as the renowned Rickety Bridge classic range, have received many accolades at South Africa wine shows and around the world. Rickety Bridge wine estate is undoubtedly one of the most progressive boutique wineries in the Cape. The historic wine making cellar was recently renovated and converted into a barrel fermentation centre, the new winery was built and modern cooling equipment was installed. The newly built wine tasting centre is the perfect place to sample 200 years of wine making tradition, taste these delightful Franschhoek wines in comfort, al fresco in summer on the winery verandah or relaxing on leather couches in front of the fire in winter. The pleasures of these outstanding South African wines extend beyond the bottle. This enchanting estate offers a new delight with every visit. Enjoy a delicious lunch on a sunny verandah overlooking the vines. Stay over in one of the luxurious Manor House rooms, embraced in two centuries of history, and discover one certainty. During every moment spent on this side of the bridge, you won’t want to be anywhere else in the world.