Donovan Rall didn’t set out to be a winemaker. In fact, back in 2001, he was studying a BSc in Psychology at Stellenbosch University. But the Cape Winelands has a way of changing trajectories. Today, that pull has taken him from student to one of South Africa’s most celebrated talents — and a 2025 Tim Atkin MW Roll of Honour Winemaker of the Year contender. Known for revitalising once-neglected vineyards, working closely with local communities, and crafting standout Syrah, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, and white blends, Donovan’s work is as much about preserving heritage as it is about pushing boundaries.
Two years into his studies, he pivoted. Psychology was out, viticulture and oenology were in – and he never looked back. An early internship with Miles Mossop introduced him to figures like Eben Sadie and ultimately led him to the Swartland, where something clicked.
After harvests in New Zealand, France and Germany and travels through rest of Europe’s wine regions, Donovan returned home with a clear vision: he wasn’t going to work for anyone else. He was going to make his own wine – on his own terms.
Awards & Recognition
Rall Wines hit the ground running. The very first wine ever made under the Rall brand the White 2008 – just six barrels in 2008 – scored 5 stars in Platter’s Guide, a rare feat for a maiden release. From there, the momentum never let up.
• Platter’s Guide: Editor’s Choice Winery of the Year
• Tim Atkin MW: Wine Discovery of the Year (x4)
• First Growth Status in Atkin’s South African Classification
That said, Donovan has never chased awards. His goal has always been simple: to make wines that are honest, expressive, and built to evolve.
Philosophy in a Bottle
Donovan’s winemaking is rooted in intuition, site expression, and balance. He doesn’t overthink it – and that’s exactly what gives his wines their quiet confidence. Every blend, every barrel, every decision is driven by taste and feel. There’s no ego in the process, just curiosity and deep respect for the land.
The Rall White & Rall Red: Cornerstones of the Range
Rall White wasn’t part of some master plan – it happened organically. In the early days, Donovan was experimenting with various white varietals that piqued his interest. One day, he decided to blend all six barrels he’d made, just to see what might happen. The result? A wine far more layered and compelling than any of its components alone. The blend simply worked. Seventeen vintages later, it remains the foundation of the Rall range – crafted mostly from the same trusted vineyards, and still his favourite wine to make.
Rall Red, on the other hand, has been a longer and more deliberate journey. “Seventeen years of trial and error,” he says. He’s tested different vineyards, soils, extraction methods, and vessels – all in pursuit of a blend that tells his story of the Swartland. The 2023 vintage, which recently scored 98 points from Winemag, is his most complete expression yet – even outshining his iconic Ava Syrah.
Why Age These Wines?
Both the White and Red are built to age – and reward those who wait. In a recent “10 year old” tasting of the New Wave South Africa in London, Jancis Robinson noted that the 2015 Rall White still had years ahead of it. As the style evolves toward greater restraint and focus, the aging potential only improves.
• Recommended drinking window: 3–5 years from vintage
• Cellaring potential: 8–10+ years
These wines aren't just age-worthy – they’re built to unfold, gaining complexity, texture, and soul over time.
