{"product_id":"before-hella-chenin-an-evening-with-donovan-rall-5-12-2026","title":"Before Hella Chenin: An Evening with Donovan Rall - 5\/12\/2026","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWe're thrilled to welcome \u003cstrong\u003eDonovan Rall\u003c\/strong\u003e to Flatiron for a seminar that's been a long time coming—his \u003cstrong\u003every first visit to California\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is a rare opportunity to meet one of the most important voices in South African wine today and taste through some of the country's most coveted bottlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eOn \u003cstrong\u003eTuesday, May 12th at 5pm\u003c\/strong\u003e, Donovan will guide us through a remarkable lineup of wines in an intimate 16-guest setting. For those who've been following South Africa's wine renaissance, this is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Donovan Rall matters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Named \u003cstrong\u003e2025 Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin MW\u003c\/strong\u003e and a key member of the prestigious Cape Winemaker's Guild, Donovan has built his reputation on one of the most demanding disciplines in wine—precision blending. He produces fewer than 1,000 cases per year, yet sources from over 30 vineyards across the Western Cape. Each harvest, he manages nearly 60 separate fermentations and aging lots. It's painstaking work that demands equal parts technical skill and artistic vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe result? Some of South Africa's most exciting, sought-after, and notoriously hard-to-find Chenin Blanc and Syrah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart of a landmark week for Chenin Blanc:\u003c\/strong\u003e This seminar is happening in the lead-up to \u003cstrong\u003eHella Chenin Wine Fest\u003c\/strong\u003e (May 16th at Hammerling Wines in Berkeley), the Bay Area's premier celebration of the grape, featuring 100 Chenin Blancs from around the world. Donovan's visit is part of a broader moment for Chenin Blanc on the West Coast—and our seminar offers the chance to go deep with one of its most celebrated practitioners in an intimate setting before the festival weekend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis seminar is made possible through \u003cstrong\u003ePeter Andrews of Culture Wine Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e, the only U.S. importer, wholesaler, and club focused exclusively on South African wine and a co-founder of Hella Chenin. Peter's championing of producers like Donovan has fundamentally changed the conversation about South African wine in America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you'll taste:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e2021 Genevieve Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs, Bot River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e2024 Rall Wines White Blend, Cape Coastal Region\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e2024 Rall Wines AVA Chenin Blanc, Swartland \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: start;\"\u003e(just 20 cases imported!)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e2024 Rall Wines NOA Chenin Blanc, Swartland \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: start;\"\u003e(just 20 cases imported!)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e2023 Rall Wines Red Blend, Swartland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat we'll explore:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDonovan's approach to precision blending across 30+ vineyard sources\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWhat makes Swartland Chenin Blanc world-class\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eThe art of working with 60+ separate fermentation lots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSouth Africa's wine renaissance and where it's heading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWhy these wines are commanding attention from collectors globally\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeating is limited to 16 guests.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tickets are \u003cstrong\u003e$45\u003c\/strong\u003e and include the full guided tasting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWhether you're attending Hella Chenin that weekend or simply want a rare opportunity to meet one of South Africa's most celebrated winemakers, this seminar promises to be an unforgettable evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn more about Hella Chenin Wine Fest:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/hellacheninwinefest.com\/\"\u003ehellacheninwinefest.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Flatiron Wines \u0026 Spirits - San Francisco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42377079750691,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0044\/1208\/0163\/files\/Bottle-of-Before-Hella-Chenin-An-Evening-with-Donovan-Rall-5122026-Event-Flatiron-SF.jpg?v=1776991226","url":"https:\/\/sf.flatiron-wines.com\/products\/before-hella-chenin-an-evening-with-donovan-rall-5-12-2026","provider":"Flatiron SF","version":"1.0","type":"link"}