Rickety Bridge will be hosting an exhibition of vibrant artist Ann Gadd’s humorous ‘sheep’ series of paintings from the book, Wine a bit and Ewe will feel better. Ann Gadd is currently one of South Arica’s bestselling and most popular artists, whose paintings hang in numerous galleries and collections both locally and abroad.

Ann’s quirky, inimitable ‘ewe/sheep’ paintings are “bright, bold and witty” (Discovery magazine) and cover a variety of topics from politics to philosophy, food to popular jargon, climbing the corporate ladder and now wine. Her ability to” put complex concepts into simple terms” (Leadership magazine), as she takes a light-hearted look at the human condition, is sure to make the viewer laugh.

Now, at this exhibition hosted by Rickety Bridge wine estate in Franschhoek, there is the opportunity to not only see, but actually own one of the original paintings depicted in Wine a bit and Ewe will feel better. This book is the latest and sixth ‘sheep’ book of Ann’s to be published.

View the original paintings from the book over the weekend of the Franschhoek Literary festival, from 16 to 19 May. The Wine a bit and Ewe will feel better paintings, as well as the book itself, containing the collection; will be available for purchase during the exhibition.

Come and meet Ann Gadd at the opening cocktail function on 16 May at 19h00. She will be painting live at the opening and will happily sign your book for you. Please contact jackie@ricketybridge.com or Jackie Rabé on 021 876 2129 to confirm your attendance.

The exhibition will be open daily from 17 – 19 May 2013, 11:00 – 16:00.

For more information please contact info@ricketybridge.com.

The Restaurant in the Vines has made way for Paulina’s, named in honour of the original owner of the property in 1797, Paulina de Villiers.

In keeping with current culinary trends, the restaurant features a variety of half and full portions of its exciting bistro style menu, allowing diners the opportunity to sample and share dishes.

Executive chef Melissa Bruyns (previously at Haute Cabrière and Westin Grand) explains: “The half portions are larger than a conventional tapas serving, so ideal for sharing, or having as a starter. I believe in using fresh seasonal ingredients, and letting them speak for themselves, beautifully prepared and presented, but without over-elaboration. We have planted a herb and vegetable garden on Rickety Bridge to ensure that I have plenty to work with.”

“Favourites include the seafood risotto (served with braised fennel and topped with Café de Paris butter and pecorino), crisp pork belly (with fried greens, wasabi mash and sweet chilli and ginger sauce), chicken and tiger prawn coconut curry (served with fragrant Jasmine rice) and salmon trout fish cakes (served on a beetroot roll and topped with a lime aioli).

Vegetarians are well catered for, and the leek and asparagus flan (drizzled with chive oil and greens) and vegetable tempura (with 3 dipping sauces) are especially popular.”

Some of the dishes are served as main portions only, for example the rib eye steak, line fish, gourmet burgerand vegetarian linguini.

Newly appointed restaurant and functions manager Joanna Hurlston explains: “The menu recommends a pairing of each dish with one of Rickety Bridge’s excellent wines, many of which are available by the glass. This is a great way to taste a variety of dishes with wines that are perfectly suited to the food.”

Paulina’s is open for lunch seven days a week, and will open for dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from December. In the evenings guests will have the choice of either a four course or six course tasting menu, preceded by an amuse bouche.  These menus will change regularly, depending on seasonal local produce.

The restaurant spills out from a cozy thatched area onto decks with views over the vineyards and mountains. Umbrellas and a Bedouin tent provide cover and shade.

Bookings are recommended. Call Rickety Bridge on 021 876 2129, or Joanna on 083 377 4103.

Canon SA and the van Dyks are passionate about introducing previously disadvantaged individuals into the world of photography and giving them the skills to set up their own business. Manus and Jeanette are both award winning wildlife photographers and Manus is one of a handful of photographic educators whose training is approved by CANON.

Rickety Bridge Winery sent out a call to the local communities to search for two suitable candidates, and were rewarded with a number of responses. Candidates had to write a motivational letter to be selected to participate in this training course, and the moving submissions by 26 year old Juanita Johnson and Patience Nduku from Groendal touched the hearts of the Rickety Bridge team and the van Dyks. They were accordingly selected, and began their training course on 18 September.

CANON SA sponsored each of the candidates with a CANON A2200 camera and Selphy Printer and paper, a photographers jacket and cap, to the value of R 3 500. The course itself is valued at R 3 750.

DSLR Photography provided the photographic training, and will provide on-going support and advice and the skills and business plan to run a successful photography business. Rickety Bridge hosted the candidates and trainers for the three days of the course and plans to employ the services of the candidates in the future.

Conferences at Rickety Bridge

The stylish, fully air-conditioned banqueting hall is set in our renovated old barrel cellar, which also offers a comfortable breakaway room and scenic smoking verandah. The conference venue is the lord of all conference centres.

Up to 40 delegates can be seated in board or school-room style, 60 in U-shape and 90 in cinema style. Full and half day packages are available with customised catering.

Small conferences can be held at our neighbouring property, Basse Provence, in a private meeting room which can accommodate up to 10 delegates.

Embraced in natural splendour and historic intrigue, Rickety Bridge is an enchanting Franschhoek wine estate that offers a new delight with every visit. Get to know your colleagues better while sampling some of our celebrated wines or during a gourmet meal at our Restaurant in the Vines. Accommodation is also available in the luxurious Manor House or at our charming neighbouring estate, Basse Provence.

For a relaxing and comfortable breakaway from the city use our Franschoek Conference Venues, we have:

Full day package – R250 per person
Half day package – R195 per person
Conference accommodation special offer – R800 per room per night

For more information click http://www.ricketybridgewinery.com/conference-and-banqueting/packages/ or contact Rob Hahn on 021 876 2129 or rob@ricketybridge.com