Donovan Rall is one of South Africa’s gentle giants, a former second-row rugby player with the touch of a pianist. After spells overseas in New Zealand and the Rhône Valley, he came back to the Cape and started his own eponymous brand in 2008, finding immediate success. Best known for his single-site Chenin Blancs and Syrahs, he’s also a brilliant blender and a fan of lesser-known grapes such as Cinsault Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Cinsault.

To read more about Donovan have a look at the Justerini & Brooks website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @ralldonovan.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.