Rall Wines White, South Africa 2024

South Africa’s Winemaker of the Year 2025, Donovan Rall, continues to set the pace for modern Cape white wine. He has built his reputation on precision blending—one of the toughest jobs in wine—and sourcing fruit from over 30 vineyards across the Western Cape. Each harvest he manages nearly 60 separate fermentations and aging lots, a painstaking process that demands both skill and vision. The result is a remarkable palette of blending material that produces small-batch wines consistently ranked among South Africa’s most exciting (and hardest to find). WINEMAKER: Donovan Rall FARMING: Sustainable VARIETY: 69% Chenin Blanc, 29% Verdelho, and 2% Viognier TERROIR: Fruit sourced from sourced from granitic soils VINIFICATION: Each variety is naturally fermented and matured separately in seasoned French oak and concrete before blending at 10 months. AGING: Eleven months in neutral oak, concrete, and foudré TASTING NOTES: Limey, pithy, and bright, the 2024 Rall White captures the energy and texture of modern Cape white blends. Chenin Blanc leads with citrus, yellow stone fruit, and a subtle creamy note. Verdelho contributes lift, verve, and a salty-citrus snap, while Viognier adds a whisper of aromatic depth. Sealed under technical cork for the first time, the wine is exceptionally fresh with a long, mouthwatering finish. FOOD PAIRINGS: This South African white blend pairs well with grilled prawns, lemon-herb chicken, seared scallops, and citrus-driven salads. Dishes with bright acidity and fresh herbs highlight the wine’s layered fruit and zesty structure.