New Release: Donovan Rall’s 2024s – Winemaker of the Year – Tim Atkin MW

Donovan Rall has thrived by remaining something of an enigma to many. Hard to pin down, with no website, nor social media, he made his name as a garagista winemaker, clocking up thousands of kilometres every month, galivanting around the Western Cape in search of sites, people and, ultimately, the best grapes.

Quietly though, all that has been changing… first with a move to a well-equipped and more stable cellar in the Swartland’s Riebeek Kasteel, giving Rall the space and resource to further refine his ageing process with the introduction of new, top quality vessels, and secondly, the recent acquisition of a seriously good Syrah vineyard has given rise to the straight “Concrete” Syrah – bringing Rall’s natural affinity with the grape to a broader set of customers. With that, long contracts on a choice patchwork of outstanding white vineyards, including the highest Chenin Blanc in the Paardeberg – used both as a component in the Rall White and as the base for the Noa Chenin, a Cinsault vineyard that has been amplified by both Rall and Duncan Savage in the Darling appellation, and high vineyards in the Piekenierskloof, which produce arguably the most restrained and delicious Grenache Blanc around. The Rall Red and White blends remain the mainstay of the winery’s output and continue to impress each year. A Ten Years On tasting this May proved that they have the capacity to age handsomely (and the young vintages are even better).

Click here to read Jancis Robinson’s report on the event.

The result of all this is that Donovan Rall is needing to be a little more visible! The plaudits are rolling in and his entire production sells out of the winery on release. Demand is on the up, he has joined the Cape Winemakers Guild (this year presenting the most desirable Syrah in the auction), and Donovan has capped off the year with the prestigious “Winemaker of the Year 2025” Award presented by South African specialist journalist Tim Atkin MW.

It is our pleasure to present a fabulous set of new releases from the 2024 vintage, alongside the best ever 2023 Rall Red.