Rickety Bridge new releases

Englishman Simon Crosbie, who initially trained as a geologist before later acquiring an MBA, is adamant that his family “bought a wine estate, not a hospitality estate” when they acquired Franschhoek’s Rickety Bridge in December 2023. Together with his wife Melissa, he has since overseen an extensive cellar upgrade and an ambitious vineyard overhaul, alongside improvements to the on-site accommodation.

Significantly, they’ve also enticed rising star Kelsey Shungking away from her role as associate winemaker at Mullineux to take charge of production, her appointment dating from October last year.

Most legacy stock has been sold off, the short-term intention being to source grapes from select sites across the winelands, to be bottled under the Regna Loca (“local kingdoms”) label. The following wines were poured at a recent soft launch:

Regna Loca Palomino 2025
Price: R300
Grapes from a Piekenierskloof vineyard planted in 1966, matured in an old 500-litre barrel. Delicate aromatics of flowers, herbs, pear, peach and green apple precede a palate that is pure and zesty, finishing saline. Clean and elegant, not without a degree of concentration despite the modest alcohol of 11.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Regna Loca Semillon 2025
Soon to be released.
From the same 1905 Franschhoek vineyard that previously supplied the highly regarded The Pilgrimage. The nose is expressive with notes of yellow apple, peach, orange, hay and herbs. The palate shows good fruit definition, moderate acidity and a savoury finish. Layered and broad in the best sense, this is a wine of real assurance. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Regna Loca Cinsault 2024
Price: R300
From a Paarl vineyard planted in 1984. The nose shows red cherry and plum meet an intriguing putty or modelling-clay note, along with earth. The palate offers good depth of fruit, fresh acidity and powdery tannins. Open and accessible with commendable flavour intensity, though perhaps just short of the structure and grip that would elevate it further. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.