Rickety Bridge was granted to Paulina De Villiers, one of the first female land owners in South Africa, in 1797.

In the late 1980's the estate became known as Rickety Bridge due to the old railway sleeper bridge which crossed the Franschhoek River and provided the entry point to the estate. The rickety bridge was replaced in 1996 and the new bridge provides a safe crossing over the river.

Today, Rickety Bridge is a stately Franschhoek winery which has gone from strength to strength in recent years and the memory and pioneering spirit of Paulina De Villiers is celebrated by the flagship range of wines, Paulina's Reserve.