Ricketi Bridge Wine Estate

5-Star Guest House
The Manor House is the epitome of countryside comfort, with 3 deluxe en-suite rooms and magnificent views of the vineyards and the Franschhoek mountains.

The Manor House has a private swimming pool and two lounge areas where guests can relax. Breakfast is served in a quaint dining room with yellow-wood beamed ceilings or in the shade at the poolside on sunny mornings.

We specialize in hosting an array of bespoke events including:

• Baby showers & Gender Reveals
• Bar Mitzvah
• Birthday Celebrations
• Bridal Shower & Bachelorettes
• Conferences*
• Corporate & Year-End Functions*
• Proposals & Engagement Parties

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on-hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300-year history.

The tours work as follows; you book a specific departure time for one of the tours and once you get onto the tour it is hopping on and hopping off at the various wine estates on your chosen route in intervals of 1 hour each. Please note that once you get off at a wine estate it will be 1 hour before the next bus/tram will arrive for pick up, you are more than welcome to stay for an additional hour(s) at Rickety Bridge, this will just mean you need to forfeit another winery. 

Starting point - The tour starts at the tram's ticket office on the corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street. Please note you must arrive 10 - 15 minutes prior to your departure time to collect your tickets. You would only be able to visit 3 – 4 wine estates on a day, depending on your planning. So make sure to include Rickety Bridge on your itinerary! 

You need to book in advance to secure your seats but you can also book at our ticket office on the day subject to availability.  

Additional Offerings:
Transfers
The tram has recently extended their product offering. The Full Tour & Transfer is their latest product that includes direct pick-up from any location in Cape Town, Strand, Stellenbosch or Paarl and a drop-off once the tour is complete (either the same day or later in the week). The transfer is exclusive to each booking and not a shared group transport. You will also get collected at the specific address provided by you. Please see the tram's website for more details. 

Curated Experience

Enhance your visit to the Cape Winelands by immersing yourself in the world-renowned winemaking culture of the Franschhoek Valley while discovering local wines under the expert guidance of a knowledgeable wine guide and sampling the best of local cuisine.

Group Experience 
Groups experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as they journey through rolling vineyards, stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. The itinerary covers up to four wine estates in the Franschhoek Valley, each with a character as rich and individual as the wines they produce. At each wine estate, a premium wine tasting is served to the group showcasing their award-winning wines. The itinerary selection covers up to four wine estates in the Franschhoek Valley, each with a character as rich and individual as the wines they produce. Several of the wine estates on the itinerary boast world-class restaurants. Please note you need to be a minimum of 20 guests in order to book this service.

So much to do, so little time!
At Rickety Bridge:

• Lunch at Paulina's Restaurant at Rickety Bridge
• Cycling through the wine yards
• Park run
• Spa treatments - in your room at Rickety Bridge or Basse Provence
• Cellar Tours by appointment
• Wine Tasting at Rickety Bridge Wine Tasting Centre
• Boules in the vines
• Scenic walks
• Bird Life
• Beautiful gardens
• Cooking Wild Franschhoek

In the Franschhoek valley:

• Horse riding and wine tasting tours at Paradise Stables
• Guided wine tours
• The Wine Tram  
• Shopping in the quaint town of Franschhoek
• Mountain bike tours
• Golf
• Fly fishing
• Fine dining
• Art
• Festivals - see the Franschhoek Tourism website
• Helicopter charters - see Discovery Aviation
• Spas
• Health Club/Gym

In Cape Town:

Discover GOLD in Cape Town. From the moment you enter the big wooden doors of the historic warehouse building in Bennett Street, Green Point, and take in the multi-floored venue with its unique architecture and African artefacts and decor, you will feel the heartbeat of a unique African restaurant in Cape Town. GOLD Restaurant will take you on a taste safari from Cape Malay to African cuisine from Cape Town to Timbuktu with its set 15-course menu served at your table.

Basse Provence Guest House 3km from Franschhoek is the four-star sister accommodation to Rickety Bridge, situated across the Franschhoek River on the neighbouring estate.

This 1855 thatched Cape Dutch Manor house and neighbouring Country House have been totally refurbished, blending traditional Huguenot heritage with stylish modern luxury. With views of a vine-green valley and ageless mountains with no beginning or end, guests have described the personal service, attention to detail and pure relaxation as 'heaven on earth'.

Basse Provence has 8 en-suite rooms and one two bedroomed cottage, which is the ideal accommodation for families on holiday in Franschhoek. All rooms have air conditioning, satellite television, minibars, tea and coffee facilities, hairdryers and free wi-fi connectivity in the Manor House.

Please contact Basse Provence for more information on family room options.

Basse Provence is accredited a 4 Star Guest House by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa

Savour our bistro styled lunches overlooking the vineyard, or in front of the cosy fireplace, with a recommended glass of Rickety Bridge Wine

We offer set menus for groups bigger than 10 and our menu changes seasonally
 

Rickety Bridge Wine Estate offers 5-star Accommodation on a Franschhoek wine estate, less than 3 kilometres from the centre of the quaint Franschhoek town. Nestled against the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains overlooking the majestic Wemmershoek Mountain range, the 50-hectare wine estate has 27 hectares of vines. The Rickety Bridge Manor House, and a beautiful tasting room where guests can sample the superb Rickety Bridge Winery wines.

Although reminiscent of the past, and nostalgic and timeless, this estate is also all things new, and all thing delectable and all things sublime. Lie still in the stylishly-renovated 19th-century rooms of our beautiful Franschhoek guest house. With every luxury of a four-star hotel, the three en-suite rooms also offer the comforting pleasures of home.

Every detail has been considered in this Franschhoek luxury accommodation: classic Cape Dutch furniture, a fire-warmed lounge and country kitchen, dramatic yellow wood-beamed ceilings and pine floors polished with layers of history all contribute to the timelessness of your experience.

We welcome children 10 years and older.

Spoil your clients in our historic 3 bedroomed Cape Dutch Manor House

Rickety Bridge is accredited a 5 Star Guest House by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa
 

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on-hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300-year history.

The tour is strictly a wine tasting experience and does not host celebration events such as birthdays or bachelor / bachelorette parties. Unfortunately, the wine estates will not allow a celebration/party on their estates as they are essentially wine tasting venues and not party venues. Thus no birthday celebrations or bachelorettes / bachelors can be accommodated on our service.

Please find below information on the wine tram tours and additional offerings:

Full Day Hop On Hop Off Franschhoek Wine Tram Tours:

Blue/Green Line (R220.00 per person)
Travelling on a tram-bus and a double-decker railway tram, you will experience breathtaking mountain views while stopping at as many as six of the following wine estates: Mont Rochelle, Le Lude, La Bri, La Bourgogne, Holden Manz, La Couronne, Rickety Bridge & Grande Provence

Red/Yellow Line (R220.00 per person)
Travelling on a tram-bus and a double-decker railway tram, the tour showcases Franschhoek's picturesque rolling vineyards and includes stops at as many as six of the following wine estates: Maison, Eikehof, Leopard’s Leap, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Franschhoek Cellar, Rickety Bridge and Grande Provence.

Purple/Orange Line (R220.00 per person)
The Purple Line offers a diverse range of vineyards where you find yourself immersed in history and breathtaking architecture.
You will visit Vrede en Lust, Plaisir de Merle, Allée Bleue, Noble Hill, Babylonstoren, Backsberg, Glen Carlou and Solms-Delta.

You need to book in advance to secure your seats but you can also book at our ticket office on the day subject to availability, we do not make any telephonic bookings. You can book online through our website: www.winetram.co.za. We can host a maximum of 26 guests per departure for our hop-on-hop-off tours.

The tours work as follows; you book a specific departure time for one of the tours and once you get onto the tour it is hopping on and hopping off at the various wine estates on your chosen route in intervals of 1 hour each. Please note that once you get off at a wine estate it will be 1hour before the next bus/tram will arrive for pick up, you are more than welcome to stay for an additional hour(s) at any of the wineries, this will just mean you need to forfeit another winery. If passengers wish to dine at one of the restaurants on the tour it is advisable to make lunch reservations at least 24 hours in advance directly with the wine estate, most of the wineries also have platters available. Wine tasting and lunch is excluded from your ticket price and can be booked and settled with the estates on the day directly. Wine tasting is normally priced between R30 – R60 per person depending on the wine selection and estate.The tours work as follows; you book a specific departure time for one of the tours and once you get onto the tour it is hopping on and hopping off at the various wine estates on your chosen route in intervals of 1 hour each. Please note that once you get off at a wine estate it will be 1hour before the next bus/tram will arrive for pick up, you are more than welcome to stay for an additional hour(s) at any of the wineries, this will just mean you need to forfeit another winery. If passengers wish to dine at one of the restaurants on the tour it is advisable to make lunch reservations at least 24 hours in advance directly with the wine estate, most of the wineries also have platters available. Wine tasting and lunch is excluded from your ticket price and can be booked and settled with the estates on the day directly. Wine tasting is normally priced between R30 – R60 per person depending on the wine selection and estate.

Starting point - The tour starts at our ticket office on 32 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek Square. Please note you must arrive 10 - 15 minutes prior to your departure time to collect your tickets. When arriving late we cannot guarantee that there will be space available on any of the other time slots for the day, thus you might forfeit your tickets or need to wait for a backup vehicle if available to drop you into the route. You would only be able to visit 3 – 4 wine estates on a day, depending on your planning, see the bottom of the time schedule for the maximum amount of stops possible on your departure.

Additional Offerings:
Transfers
We have recently extended our product offering. The Full Tour & Transfer is our latest product that includes direct pick-up from any location in Cape Town, Strand, Stellenbosch or Paarl and a drop-off once the tour is complete (either the same day or later in the week). The transfer is exclusive to each booking and not a shared group transport. You will also get collected at the specific address provided by you. The price for this excluding the tour is +/-R550.00 per person within the designated Zone, please see the website for more details. We also offer group discounts on the Transfer option.

Curated Experience (R1050.00 per person)
Enhance your visit to the Cape Winelands by immersing yourself in the world-renowned winemaking culture of the Franschhoek Valley while discovering local wines under the expert guidance of a knowledgeable wine guide and sampling the best of local cuisine.

Regret no children without prior arrangement.

Group Experience (Price on request)
Groups experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as they journey through rolling vineyards, stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. The itinerary covers up to four wine estates in the Franschhoek Valley, each with a character as rich and individual as the wines they produce. At each wine estate, a premium wine tasting is served to the group showcasing their award-winning wines. The itinerary selection covers up to four wine estates in the Franschhoek Valley, each with a character as rich and individual as the wines they produce. Several of the wine estates on the itinerary boast world-class restaurants. Please note you need to be a minimum of 20 guests in order to book this service.

Bistro Style Restaurant

Paulina’s was named in honour of the original owner of the property, Paulina de Villiers. 

She was one of the first lady landowners in South Africa and loved the land she tamed and planted. Paulina spent many years nurturing crops and working the same soils you see on the estate today. To pay respect to Paulina, and the land, the restaurant team are supporting local producers and farmers, just the way Paulina would have.

Paulina’s Restaurant has earned its place in the Cape’s cuisine capital, offering a variety of elegant bistro-style dishes with a range of mouth-watering desserts to finish. Every creation from the restaurant team is given extra zest by the striking beauty of the vineyards and stunning views of the Franschhoek mountains.

Take a seat on the terrace with magnificent vineyard and mountain views or cosy up in front of the fireplace in the colder months, while sipping on a glass of fine wine. The full range of award-winning Rickety Bridge wines are available to compliment your lunch. Taste your way through the ranges at the Wine Tasting Centre or follow the suggested wine pairings on the menu. A carefully selected menu has been created to delight the little ones, as well.

The restaurant can be booked for special functions and is ideal for any celebration with family and friends, as well as dinners for groups of 10 people or more. The separate dining room is available for private groups, with set menus available upon request.

Paulina’s is open for lunch seven days a week, from Monday - Sunday 09:00 - 17:00.

Current Menus:

View our current menu. Breakfast is served from 09h00 - 11h00 and lunch from 11h00 - 17h00. In addition, the Wine Tasting Centre offers a selection of wood-fired pizzas from Mondays to Sundays, view the latest pizza menu. 

A deposit may be required for reservations for groups of 8 or more people. 

To celebrate Valentine's Day we also have a Three-course Valentines’ Day set menu on offer for R450 per person.

Potjiekos Experience
Looking for a more personal experience? Why not make your own potjie alongside your friends and family. Potjieskos - meaning little pot of food, is a proudly South African dish, traditionally made when friends & family gather. Find out more.

Duration: 2 - 3 hours

Cost: R460 per person

Paulina's Picnic
Opt for a Winelands inspire picnic whilst overlooking the Rickety Bridge vineyards and Franschhoek mountains. Find out more.

Cost: From R350 person

Cross the bridge over the Franschhoek River and discover your perfect wedding venue among the vines. 

Share your special day with family members and friends in a charming Cape Dutch setting. Our all-inclusive wedding packages for up to 100 guests, will be tailor-made to your requirements and include the following:

• Venue hire
• Exclusive use of Rickety Bridge Manor House for two nights
• Preferential rates at Basse Provence Country House
• Venue exclusivity (from 61 guests)
• Full ceremony setup
• Standard white table linen, serviettes, crockery, cutlery & glassware
• Reception furniture
• Welcome drinks
• Canapes upon arrival
• 3-course meal
• Wine
• Basic bar setup
• Staff & gratuity
• Wedding coordination
• Menu taster for the couple prior to the wedding

The Wine Tasting Centre is adjacent to the wine cellar, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of a working winery. It is housed on an elevated platform with a three-sided full-height glazed façade, offering views of the vineyards and majestic Franschhoek mountains. The tasting centre virtually spills over, through glass walls, into the maturation cellar on the one side and onto floating terraces on the other side.

On warm, sunny days wine-lovers can taste Rickety Bridge wines on the terraces, surrounded by vines. A laid-back game of boules may beckon just a few steps away, while children can amuse themselves on the jungle gym and adjacent lawn. On cooler days, guests can gather around the wood-burning fireplace and soak up the warmth while enjoying Rickety Bridge’s fine wines. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through the various Tasting Centre offerings.

Delicious cheese & meat platters and non-alcoholic drink options are also available to order at the Wine Tasting Centre.
Parties up to 80 people can be accommodated in the function room, by prior arrangement.

Wine Tastings  

Taste your way through the Rickety Bridge ranges, with the following tasting options:

• Standard wine tasting (choice of 5 wines): R55 per person
• Printer’s Devil tasting (choice of 3 wines): R65 per person
• Icon Range tasting (choice of 3 wines): R105 per person

Rickety Bridge can accommodate parties up to 80 people for a wine tasting in the conference centre, by prior arrangement. Tastings endure 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the size of the group, wine knowledge of the group, time available to the group. 

Cellar Tours
Cellar tours can be arranged by appointment. Enjoy an in-depth tour through our 500-tonne cellar, guided by our knowledgeable and friendly staff. Get to know the winemaking process from the vine through to the barrel. The tour takes about 30-45 minutes, but we highly recommend doing a tasting thereafter while you drink in the splendour of the surroundings.

Kindly note cellar tours are not on offer during peaks season, harvest time and on Saturdays.  
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Cost: R50 per person

Wine Blending Experiences
Our interactive red & white wine blending experience offer something to both wine novices and enthusiasts alike. We will provide everything you need and coach you in the process of making wine. Our wine blending sessions will give you a chance to experience a crucial part of the wine making process, and you can leave with a bottle of wine to drink that day! Work on the perfect blend with a group of friends or coworkers, or simply concoct a little something for a special event to impress your friends.
Pre-booking your red or white wine blending experience is essential.
Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Cost: R270 per person

Panna Cotta & Wine Pairing
Enjoy our Tasting Centre’s latest addition - an unique pairing of seasonal panna cotta’s and our award winning wines. Skillfully paired by our head chef Brent Malander. The panna cotta flavours are distinctively matched to accentuate the natural tasting notes of the wines.
Our authentic pairing can be enjoyed morning or afternoon.
Book your pairing on 021 876 2129 or sales@ricketybridge.com
Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Cost: R130

Food

The Wine Tasting Centre now offers a small selection of wood-fired pizza's from Fridays to Sundays. Delicious cheese and meat platters and non-alcoholic drink options are also available to order or opt for a bistro style lunch next door, at  Paulina's Restaurant.

Kiddies Pairing
Our limited edition kiddies pairing includes:⁠

• Peach ice tea⁠
• Crème Soda⁠
• Strawberry flavoured milk⁠
• Marshmallow puff⁠
• Sour worms⁠
• Wine gums⁠

⁠The pairing is only R80 per little one and pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment. ⁠

POTJIEKOS EXPERIENCE

R460 per person, for groups of 8 to 30 guests by prior arrangement.
Make your own potjie at Rickety Bridge alongside your friends & family. The Rickety Bridge team will prepare a selection of traditional potjie ingredients (including a variety of meat, chicken, fish, fresh vegetables, spices and sauces) and supply you with all the necessary equipment. You will also be treated to a wine tasting by one of the Rickety Bridge wine ambassadors.

PAULINA'S PICNIC
R350 per person or R600 per couple Savour a Winelands inspired picnic whilst overlooking the Rickety Bridge Vineyards and Franschhoek mountain range.

Pick the perfect patch of grass in front of the Wine Tasting Centre or opt for a table at Paulina’s Restaurant to enjoy your picnic. The Rickety Bridge team will supply you with a blanket, picnic  table, glasses, cutlery and a fabric-lined wine crate filled with delicious picnic items.

Booking in advance is essential.

Trading Hours

The Wine Tasting Centre is open 7 days a week, from 10h00 to 18h00. The Tasting Centre works on a first-come, first basis unless you’ve made a prior booking. Should all the tables be full, we will place you on a waiting list until a spot opens. We recommend booking in advance during peak season.

Make a reservation on 021 876 2129