The
rickety bridge straddling the Franschhoek River takes you into vineyards
nestling against the Dassenberg Mountains in the once called Olifantshoek
area. A valley
filled with mystery, romance and rich memories of long ago. Images of
a feeble, somewhat tottering bridge are soon forgotten as one crosses
the rickety bridge, to this remarkable wine estate. This land dates back
to 1694 when farms, situated in the valley at the foot of what is now
known as the Franschhoek Mountain were given to Huguenot farmers –
Rickety Bridge was once part of the original La Provence farm.
Over the years these properties were subdivided and on the 13th of May 1797 a quitrent grant was given in favour of the widow Paulina de Villiers, granting her the land she called Paulina's Drift.
Paulina's Drift was sold to Pieter de Villiers, under the name Zandrift. On the 15th of October 1813, a portion of the farm (the present Rickety Bridge) changed ownership to one Hendrick Lodewicus Pepler and on the 9th of February 1829 to his widow, Elizabeth Catharina de Villiers under the name Paulina's Dal. “Dal” meaning “valley”, which was found at the other end of the river. She extended the farm and had 40 000 vines planted, producing grapes for wine and brandy. In 1831 Paulina's Dal was given to her son, Abraham Johannes Pepler.
Apparently he built the manor house, between 1829 and 1831. The main provincial or public road passed directly in front of the Manor House and the present cellar. The position of the road has since changed to its current location. The old original rickety bridge, that consisted mainly of sleeper wood beams, was too narrow for larger vehicles, which necessitated them to come through other farms by means of the old road for deliveries. This was probably the main reason for changing and rebuilding the bridge, to the concrete state, during 1996.
Since 1797 owners have come and gone, but wine stayed to be the order of every beautiful day.
Over the years these properties were subdivided and on the 13th of May 1797 a quitrent grant was given in favour of the widow Paulina de Villiers, granting her the land she called Paulina's Drift.
Paulina's Drift was sold to Pieter de Villiers, under the name Zandrift. On the 15th of October 1813, a portion of the farm (the present Rickety Bridge) changed ownership to one Hendrick Lodewicus Pepler and on the 9th of February 1829 to his widow, Elizabeth Catharina de Villiers under the name Paulina's Dal. “Dal” meaning “valley”, which was found at the other end of the river. She extended the farm and had 40 000 vines planted, producing grapes for wine and brandy. In 1831 Paulina's Dal was given to her son, Abraham Johannes Pepler.
Apparently he built the manor house, between 1829 and 1831. The main provincial or public road passed directly in front of the Manor House and the present cellar. The position of the road has since changed to its current location. The old original rickety bridge, that consisted mainly of sleeper wood beams, was too narrow for larger vehicles, which necessitated them to come through other farms by means of the old road for deliveries. This was probably the main reason for changing and rebuilding the bridge, to the concrete state, during 1996.
Since 1797 owners have come and gone, but wine stayed to be the order of every beautiful day.
