Gentle giant Donovan Rall is very well-travelled as a winemaker, but found his inspiration in the Mediterranean varieties in the Swartland. After graduating with a Viticulture and Oenology degree from Stellenbosch University in 2005 and extensive travels and harvests in other regions, Donovan returned to South Africa in 2007 for a season in the Swartland. Here he worked on his dream of making unique and natural-styled wines under his own label, a small batch range “never more than 1000 cases tops” from good fruit from some of the oldest vineyards in Swartland and Stellenbosch. He started with Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Verdelho and Viognier for a white blend, and Syrah, Mouvedre and Grenache for his red blend, but now also make some single varietal wines. The winemaking is simple, with each parcel allowed to ferment and mature naturally before blending. The wines are full of character and complexity, mark our words these are future classics.