Rickety Bridge's gourmet picnics make the 'Restaurant in the vines' an ideal summer destination
Monday, 16 November, 2009
Rickety Bridge Winery
Rickety Bridge invites you to saunter over the eponymous 'rickety
bridge' ... into its haven in the vines, where an enchanting epicurean
excursion awaits you.
The picnic offering at the 'Restaurant in the Vines' - brimming with a treasure trove of culinary delights - promises not to disappoint! Nestled against the Dassenberg Mountain with splendid views of the Wemmershoek Mountains, and of the Franschhoek Valley; Rickety Bridge is a pocket outside of time, where one can escape the pressures of daily life, and ensconce oneself in magic. Precious little compares with the self-indulgent bliss of sipping nonchalantly on a glass of fine estate wine, while sitting on the sun-splashed deck, or lounging on a blanket on the picnic lawn, bordered by vineyards.
With a range of fine wines from which to choose, and with which to pair each canapé, one is spoilt for choice. Asparagus spears are best paired with the Paulina's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc - the wine's ripe, fresh concentrated green-apple nuances enhance flavours in the food. The Rickety Bridge Chenin, with tropical fruity undertones, cleanses and refreshes the palate, while fully embracing the rejuvenating crispness of Melon, feta and mint skewers.
Relish delectable Prawn skewers with cucumber ribbons, marinated in sweet chilli sauce, and couple these tangy snacks with the Rickety Bridge Chardonnay - a perfect combination! This year, the Rickety Bridge Rosé is comprised of four varietals - Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz and a touch of Viognier for spice and piquancy - making for a celestially blissful wine. This delicious, crisp Rosé makes a lively accompaniment to the delicious Salmon roulade. The mouth-watering Sticky chicken wings are best complemented by the zippy apple and spice flavours, and creamy finish, of the Semillon. Finally, savour the restaurant's home-made Biltong pâté and crackers while sipping on Rickety Bridge's newly-released Syrah/Mourvèdre/Grenache blend. The soft and juicy undertones are juxtaposed by spicy flavours and hints of red fruit, making this wine aromatic and infinitely luscious. As the first Rhône blend made by the winery, this wine pays tribute to the first stone laid as a foundation to the 'rickety bridge' and is thus aptly named The Foundation Stone.
The gourmet picnic experience, at a competitive rate of R135, a head includes: blankets on which to repose and baskets of delectable treats on which to nibble. Or if formal seating is more to your liking, why not request a table on the deck, where one is met with a panoramic vista of the vineyards and velvet-pasted mountains.
Open from 10h00 until 17h00, seven days a week, Rickety Bridge's 'Restaurant in the Vines', also provides an à la carte option, making its gastronomic offering flexible and accommodating.
And to work off those calories, patrons can try their hand at boules on the newly created boules court!
The children's menu and jungle gym both complement the destination's attractiveness, making it an ideal family destination.
So, step over the bridge and enter the sanctuary of beauty, mystery and multi-faceted splendour that is Rickety Bridge.