Rugby stars Ruan Pienaar and Robbie Diack plan to score with new fine wine range

Ulster Rugby stars Ruan Pienaar and Robbie Diack have launched their new Ballybosch range of wine and want you to give it a try.

The South African pair have teamed up with family-owned Direct Wine Shipments, which is celebrating 60 years in business in Belfast.

At the launch of Ballybosch, Robbie and Ruan told the Belfast Telegraph they had the idea for their own wine over a glass of red while delayed in Italy after an international match.

The name is a nod to the rugby stars’ birthplace and their current home.

‘Bally’ is a prefix for many towns in Northern Ireland and ‘Bosch’ is from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa.

Ballybosch is a partnership with Brenaissance Winery, which belongs to Robbie’s wife’s sister and brother-in-law Tom and Haley Breytenbach. They have come up with a zesty sauvignon blanc and a full-flavoured red blend using malbec, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grapes.


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