Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Rickety Bridge Wine Estate: a blend of tradition, innovation and terroir
Cobus du Plessis takes a look at the history and tradition of Rickety Bridge Wine Estate in Franschhoek.
In the heart of South Africa’s prestigious wine country, Franschhoek, lies a vineyard steeped in history and tradition: Rickety Bridge Wine Estate. From its French Huguenot roots to its modern-day acclaim, the estate serves as a testament to the enduring allure of fine winemaking. With an unyielding commitment to quality, a rich historical backdrop and a team devoted to the craft, Rickety Bridge offers a unique blend of oldworld elegance and contemporary flair.
A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Rickety Bridge’s origins can be traced back to 1694 when the La Provence farm was granted to French Huguenot farmers. By 1797, a portion of this land was granted to Paulina de Villiers, one of South Africa’s first female landowners. This strong, pioneering woman set the stage for an estate that would become renowned for both its heritage and its wines.
The estate got its unique name in the late 1980s, thanks to an old railway bridge made from sleepers that crossed the Franschhoek River. Although this bridge has since been replaced, the spirit of that ‘rickety bridge’ lives on, symbolic of the estate’s bridge between its storied past and its promising future.
TERROIR AND VARIETALS
Nestled between the Dassenberg Mountain and the Franschhoek River, the estate boasts a variety of aspects and soil types ideal for viticulture. The sandy soils near the river are perfect for growing white wine grapes like Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. On the hillside, decomposed granite soils offer excellent conditions for red varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. This natural diversity allows the estate to produce a wide range of wines, from crisp whites to robust reds.
The estate’s flagship wine range, Paulina’s Reserve, pays homage to its pioneering original landowner.
But the acclaim does not stop there. Their Foundation Stone range and classic Rickety Bridge range have also received numerous accolades. Among the most celebrated is their premium red wine, The Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, which has become synonymous with quality and elegance.
MODERNITY MEETS TRADITION
The winemaking team, led by cellar master Donovan Ackermann and winemaker Mari Kotzé, epitomises the fusion of old and new. Ackermann, an Elsenburg graduate like Kotzé, brings a wealth of experience, having worked on harvests in California, Australia and France.
His background in viticulture adds an in-depth understanding of the estate’s unique terroir. Kotzé, who joined the team in 2018, adds her international experience and passion for hands-on winemaking into the mix. The result is a collection of handcrafted wines that reflects the estate’s unique terroir, enhanced by the expertise of its resolute team.
BEYOND THE VINE
Rickety Bridge is not just a winery but an experience. In addition to its wine production facilities, the estate offers luxury accommodation, a tasting room, a wine cellar, and a fine-dining restaurant.
Visitors can take cellar tours to gain insight into the winemaking process, do tastings, and relish gourmet meals that pair exquisitely with the estate’s wines.
MANY REASONS TO VISIT THIS EXTRAORDINARY ESTATE
Whether it is the story of Paulina de Villiers that piques your interest, the estate’s innovative yet traditional winemaking methods, or simply the promise of a beautiful glass of wine in a stunning setting, Rickety Bridge offers a multitude of reasons for a visit or deeper exploration.
Just as the old rickety bridge once connected visitors to this extraordinary land, the wines of Rickety Bridge serve as a bridge between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation and, most importantly, between the vineyard and the very people who cherish its wines.