RICKETY BRIDGE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007 AWARDED 4-STARS
Media Release
RICKETY BRIDGE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007 AWARDED 4-STARS
IN DECANTER MAGAZINE'S NEW WORLD SAUVIGNON BLANC TASTING
Small low-yielding 18-year-old vineyard block produces award-winning wine
The only sauvignon blanc vineyard on this picturesque riverside Franschhoek wine estate was fittingly acclaimed when the Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007 attained a 4-star rating in Decanter's New World Sauvignon Blanc Tasting (published in Decanter's June issue). It was one of only seven sauvignon blancs, of which only two were Cape sauvignons, to receive this high rating.
Decanter, published in England, is one of the leading and most authoritative wine magazines in the world, and was generous in terms of their praise of Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007, introduced to the UK market in April 2008: ‘Complex bouquet. Warm notes of lemon, sherbet, smoke and minerals. Lovely palate with similar flavours that really build. Intense finish.'
Amy Wislocki, Decanter editor, foregrounded the highly competitive market in her covering article, highlighting that the panel remarked on admirable qualities exhibited by New Zealand, South African and Chilean offerings. In terms of the international market and how South Africa fits into the equation, one of the judges, Nick Demurge commented: 'South Africa is a perfect midway point between New Zealand and the Loire'.
When Rickety Bridge Winery underwent a major vineyard overhaul in 1990, sauvignon blanc did not command the demand that it does today. Hence, only one small vineyard block of less than one-and-a-half hectares was set aside for this varietal. The wines have always had a steady thread of minerality and have tended towards the tropical fruits flavour spectrum. Yielding less than 750 six-bottle cases per annum, this wine is invariably sold out before the next vintage is due for release. Later this year Rickety Bridge Winery will be applying to SAWIS (South African Wine Industry Information and Systems) to register this vineyard block as a single vineyard, with a name still to be decided.
Although the Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is no longer available for sale, Rickety Bridge are very excited about their recently-released 2008 vintage, which has just been accepted for the Nederburg Auction. The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, retailing at approximately R60 excluding VAT, was made by new winemaker Wynand Grobler, who hails from the highly-regarded estate, Ernie Els Wines.
Rickety Bridge Wine Tasting Centre
Rickety Bridge's newly-renovated wine tasting centre offers the full range of Rickety Bridge's fine wines for tasting and sales.
Winter Opening Hours: 1 June to 30 September
Monday to Sunday & public holidays 09h00 to 17h00
Summer Opening Hours: 1 October until 31 May
Monday to Saturday & public holidays 09h00 until 20h00
Sundays 09h00 until 17h00
Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, the 26th December and New Year's Day.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The brand new restaurant, Rickety Bridge "Restaurant in the Vines", under the expert guidance of Executive Chef Rob Hahn, is set in the heart of the vineyards. The winter menu leans towards traditional hearty soups, stews, bredies and curries, while the summer menu will comprise cheese platters and gourmet picnic baskets. Visitors can also enjoy tapas and sundowners at leisure on summer evenings, between 17h00 and 20h00.
Winter Opening Hours: 1 June to 30 September
Monday to Sunday & public holidays 09h00 to 17h00
Summer Opening Hours: 1 October until 31 May
Monday to Sunday & public holidays 09h00 until 20h00
Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, the 26th December and New Year's Day.
Private functions in the evenings on request.
Group reservations by prior arrangement.
Rickety Bridge Fine Foods
The estate boasts a delicious range of Rickety Bridge Fine Foods, hand-produced by Executive Chef Rob Hahn.
Weddings
Rickety Bridge also offers a spectacular wedding venue, seating up to 85 people indoors, or up to 180 in the garden or a marquee. There is also a charming, separate chapel.
Conferences
Full and half-day catered conference packages are available.
Accommodation
Rickety Bridge Manor House offers accommodation in luxury suites, overlooking vineyards and magnificent mountains.
Rickety Bridge Winery is nestled against the hillside with splendid views over the Wemmershoek Mountains and the Franschhoek Valley. The name originates from the rickety bridge which once straddled the Franschhoek River, ushering one into the Franschhoek vineyards. The original rickety bridge, consisting mainly of sleeper wood beams was too narrow for larger vehicles, and had to make way for a modern concrete bridge in 1996. When visiting Rickety Bridge today, one still crosses a ‘rickety bridge' over the Franschhoek River to reach the modern winery.
The first allocation of this land dates back to as early as 1694, the era during which Valley farms were allocated to Huguenot farmers: Rickety Bridge was once part of the original La Provence farm. Over the years, these properties were sub-divided, until finally, in 1797, a quitrent grant (affording one the legal right to occupy the land) was awarded in favour of the widow Paulina de Villiers, granting her the land she coined Paulina's Drift. Since 1797, owners have come and gone, but the winemaking tradition has always perpetuated throughout the 200 years: the estate celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 1997.
Over the last twenty years, the estate has undergone significant development in a myriad of arenas: an on-going vineyard replanting programme; conversion of the historic cellar into a barrel fermentation cellar and the building of a brand new winery including the installation of ultra-modern cooling equipment; a newly- renovated wine-tasting centre, offering a range of fine wines for tasting and sales; a brand new restaurant in the vineyards, conference and wedding facilities and a luxury guesthouse. Rickety Bridge Winery was bought in 2000 by Duncan Spence, who is British, and also owns the neighbouring farm Basse Provence.
Issued for Rickety Bridge Winery by: Rickety Bridge Winery:
Posy & Jeremy Hazell Contact: Jan van Huyssteen
Tel 021 851 1563 · Cell 082 868 3967 Tel 021 876 2129
E-mail jacquij@wine.co.za E-mail jan@ricketybridgewinery.com
www.ricketybridge.com
ENDS
July 2008
RICKETY BRIDGE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007 AWARDED 4-STARS
IN DECANTER MAGAZINE'S NEW WORLD SAUVIGNON BLANC TASTING
Small low-yielding 18-year-old vineyard block produces award-winning wine
The only sauvignon blanc vineyard on this picturesque riverside Franschhoek wine estate was fittingly acclaimed when the Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007 attained a 4-star rating in Decanter's New World Sauvignon Blanc Tasting (published in Decanter's June issue). It was one of only seven sauvignon blancs, of which only two were Cape sauvignons, to receive this high rating.
Decanter, published in England, is one of the leading and most authoritative wine magazines in the world, and was generous in terms of their praise of Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007, introduced to the UK market in April 2008: ‘Complex bouquet. Warm notes of lemon, sherbet, smoke and minerals. Lovely palate with similar flavours that really build. Intense finish.'
Amy Wislocki, Decanter editor, foregrounded the highly competitive market in her covering article, highlighting that the panel remarked on admirable qualities exhibited by New Zealand, South African and Chilean offerings. In terms of the international market and how South Africa fits into the equation, one of the judges, Nick Demurge commented: 'South Africa is a perfect midway point between New Zealand and the Loire'.
When Rickety Bridge Winery underwent a major vineyard overhaul in 1990, sauvignon blanc did not command the demand that it does today. Hence, only one small vineyard block of less than one-and-a-half hectares was set aside for this varietal. The wines have always had a steady thread of minerality and have tended towards the tropical fruits flavour spectrum. Yielding less than 750 six-bottle cases per annum, this wine is invariably sold out before the next vintage is due for release. Later this year Rickety Bridge Winery will be applying to SAWIS (South African Wine Industry Information and Systems) to register this vineyard block as a single vineyard, with a name still to be decided.
Although the Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is no longer available for sale, Rickety Bridge are very excited about their recently-released 2008 vintage, which has just been accepted for the Nederburg Auction. The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, retailing at approximately R60 excluding VAT, was made by new winemaker Wynand Grobler, who hails from the highly-regarded estate, Ernie Els Wines.
Rickety Bridge Wine Tasting Centre
Rickety Bridge's newly-renovated wine tasting centre offers the full range of Rickety Bridge's fine wines for tasting and sales.
Winter Opening Hours: 1 June to 30 September
Monday to Sunday & public holidays 09h00 to 17h00
Summer Opening Hours: 1 October until 31 May
Monday to Saturday & public holidays 09h00 until 20h00
Sundays 09h00 until 17h00
Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, the 26th December and New Year's Day.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Other facilities offered at Rickety Bridge
Rickety Bridge "Restaurant in the Vines"
The brand new restaurant, Rickety Bridge "Restaurant in the Vines", under the expert guidance of Executive Chef Rob Hahn, is set in the heart of the vineyards. The winter menu leans towards traditional hearty soups, stews, bredies and curries, while the summer menu will comprise cheese platters and gourmet picnic baskets. Visitors can also enjoy tapas and sundowners at leisure on summer evenings, between 17h00 and 20h00.
Winter Opening Hours: 1 June to 30 September
Monday to Sunday & public holidays 09h00 to 17h00
Summer Opening Hours: 1 October until 31 May
Monday to Sunday & public holidays 09h00 until 20h00
Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, the 26th December and New Year's Day.
Private functions in the evenings on request.
Group reservations by prior arrangement.
Rickety Bridge Fine Foods
The estate boasts a delicious range of Rickety Bridge Fine Foods, hand-produced by Executive Chef Rob Hahn.
Weddings
Rickety Bridge also offers a spectacular wedding venue, seating up to 85 people indoors, or up to 180 in the garden or a marquee. There is also a charming, separate chapel.
Conferences
Full and half-day catered conference packages are available.
Accommodation
Rickety Bridge Manor House offers accommodation in luxury suites, overlooking vineyards and magnificent mountains.
Rickety Bridge Winery History
Rickety Bridge Winery is nestled against the hillside with splendid views over the Wemmershoek Mountains and the Franschhoek Valley. The name originates from the rickety bridge which once straddled the Franschhoek River, ushering one into the Franschhoek vineyards. The original rickety bridge, consisting mainly of sleeper wood beams was too narrow for larger vehicles, and had to make way for a modern concrete bridge in 1996. When visiting Rickety Bridge today, one still crosses a ‘rickety bridge' over the Franschhoek River to reach the modern winery.
The first allocation of this land dates back to as early as 1694, the era during which Valley farms were allocated to Huguenot farmers: Rickety Bridge was once part of the original La Provence farm. Over the years, these properties were sub-divided, until finally, in 1797, a quitrent grant (affording one the legal right to occupy the land) was awarded in favour of the widow Paulina de Villiers, granting her the land she coined Paulina's Drift. Since 1797, owners have come and gone, but the winemaking tradition has always perpetuated throughout the 200 years: the estate celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 1997.
Over the last twenty years, the estate has undergone significant development in a myriad of arenas: an on-going vineyard replanting programme; conversion of the historic cellar into a barrel fermentation cellar and the building of a brand new winery including the installation of ultra-modern cooling equipment; a newly- renovated wine-tasting centre, offering a range of fine wines for tasting and sales; a brand new restaurant in the vineyards, conference and wedding facilities and a luxury guesthouse. Rickety Bridge Winery was bought in 2000 by Duncan Spence, who is British, and also owns the neighbouring farm Basse Provence.
Issued for Rickety Bridge Winery by: Rickety Bridge Winery:
Posy & Jeremy Hazell Contact: Jan van Huyssteen
Tel 021 851 1563 · Cell 082 868 3967 Tel 021 876 2129
E-mail jacquij@wine.co.za E-mail jan@ricketybridgewinery.com
www.ricketybridge.com
ENDS
July 2008
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