The
winemaking tradition
definitely runs deep in the history of this remarkable winery, as the
old cellar infrastructure, consisting of concrete and underground tanks,
would prove. Unfortunately, these underground tanks had to be filled
up to level the floor of the old cellar. Dr Nigel MacNaught purchased
the wine estate, then known as Zanddrift, in 1988 (the present owner
of Stony Brook). This was also the beginning of a new era of development
for Rickety Bridge. In 1989 a replanting programme was started and in
1992 the first wine was produced from these vines - 6663 bottles of
Cabernet Sauvignon.
Since then Rickety Bridge has been redeveloped. Mr. Allan Tonkin completed
a new winery in 1997, when the old cellar was renovated and converted
into a barrel fermentation centre. The current owner, Mr. Duncan Spence,
installed modern cooling equipment in the renovated cellar during 2000.
Visitors are welcome to come and visit our newly built and decorated
Wine Tasting Centre with magnificent views over the Wemmershoek Mountains
and the natural beauty of the Franschhoek valley. Now Rickety Bridge
Winery truly is one of the most progressive, modern boutique wineries
in South Africa.
The total size of the farm is 50.56 hectares
which is made up as follows:
| Vineyards: | 12.84 hectares. |
| Mountain: | 30.87 hectares. |
| Buildings and Dams: | 0.69 hectares |
The Vineyards are planted to the following Varieties:
| Cabernet Franc: | 0.42 hectares |
| Malbec: | 0.17 hectares |
| Cabernet Sauvignon: | 3.88 hectares |
| Merlot: | 1.6 hectares |
| Shiraz: | 1.63 hectares |
| Chardonnay: | 1.85 hectares |
| Sauvignon Blanc: | 1.01 hectares |
| Chenin Blanc: | 1.48 hectares |
| Semillon: | 0.8 hectares |
The cellar has the capacity to handle 200 Tonne of Grapes each year.
