Franschhoek Rickety Bridge Pinotage

Rickety Bridge Wine Estate is a historic landmark in the Franschhoek Valley, with roots dating back to 1694 when it was part of the original La Provence farm granted to French Huguenots. In 1797, the land was granted to the widow Paulina de Villiers, making her one of South Africa’s first female landowners and the first to plant vines on the estate. The name Rickety Bridge was adopted in the late 1980s, inspired by the old railway sleeper bridge that crossed the Franschhoek River to provide access to the property. Today, the estate is managed by the Crosbie family, who continue to steward this centuries-old legacy while fostering sustainable growth and community partnership.

The estate’s terroir is defined by its position between the Dassenberg Mountain and the Franschhoek River, where mountain shadows help moderate temperatures and trap cool southerly winds to lengthen the growing season. The vineyards benefit from diverse soil types, ranging from sandy alluvial soils near the river to decomposed granite on the hillsides, which provides the ideal structure for premium red grapes like Pinotage. Rickety Bridge follows a winemaking philosophy that blends tradition with a touch of modernity, utilizing gentle cellar techniques such as hand-harvesting and traditional punch-downs in open fermenters. This Pinotage is aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak, resulting in a wine that balances bold fruit expression with refined, well-integrated tannins.