Franschhoek Rickety Bridge Shiraz

Rickety Bridge Estate is steeped in the rich viticultural history of the Franschhoek Valley, a region originally settled by French Huguenots in the late 17th century. The estate itself was once part of the historic La Provence farm, granted in 1694, before being subdivided in 1797 and awarded to Paulina de Villiers, one of South Africa's first female landowners. The name Rickety Bridge was adopted in the 1980s, inspired by the weathered railway sleeper bridge that served as the sole entry point across the Franschhoek River. This legacy of perseverance and heritage continues today under the stewardship of the Crosbie family, who maintain the estate’s 18th-century charm while fostering a progressive approach to South African winemaking.

The unique terroir of the estate is defined by its position between the Dassenberg Mountain and the Franschhoek River, offering a diverse range of soil types and microclimates. While the lower flatlands feature sandy river soils, the hillside slopes provide decomposed granite, which is ideal for cultivating high-quality red grapes like Shiraz. Rickety Bridge embraces a winemaking philosophy that balances traditional methods with modern innovation, focusing on minimal intervention to allow the specific character of the vineyard to shine. By carefully matching varietals to these distinct soil pockets and utilizing judicious oak regimes, the estate produces structured, elegant wines that honor their historic roots while appealing to a contemporary global palate.