The soul of Sicilian wine: between Marsala, Pantelleria, the hinterland and Etna, the tale of a land in a bottle

From the ancient cellars of Marsala to the vineyards suspended over the sea of Pantelleria; from the Belice Valley to the Plain of Vittoria and up to the slopes of Etna: Donnafugata's excellence in the heart of Sicily

In the heart of western Sicily, in Marsala, comes Donnafugata, one of the most established and recognisable wineries on the Italian wine scene. The name evokes literature, history and Mediterranean suggestions, but above all it is synonymous with quality, innovation and respect for the land.

The idea originated with Gabriella Rallo, a visionary woman who in the 1980s, with courage and sensitivity, decided to revolutionise Sicilian viticulture by focusing on a production model geared towards excellence, sustainability and the enhancement of the island's cultural heritage. Together with her husband Giacomo, a descendant of a family of winegrowers for generations, Gabriella laid the foundations of a project that set the standard.

Today, the company is run by sons José and Antonio Rallo, who have picked up the baton and carry on their parents' vision with passion and expertise, continuing to innovate while respecting tradition.

Marsala: the cradle of the project

The historic Marsala cellars represent the beating heart of the winery. Here, in the evocative nineteenth-century tufa stone rooms, is where the red wines are vinified and aged in barriques. The cellars are not only a place of production but also a meeting point for the public, with tastings and guided tours taking visitors on a sensory journey through aromas, history and culture.

Pantelleria: the miracle of heroic viticulture

More than 100 kilometres from the Sicilian coast, on the island of Pantelleria, Donnafugata cultivates Zibibbo according to the principles of heroic viticulture. The Pantellerian bush vines, recognised as an intangible heritage of humanity by Unesco, are grown in small basins dug by hand to protect them from the wind. It is here that the famous Ben Ryé, one of the world's most awarded and appreciated passito wines, the result of a harvest done strictly by hand and of an ancient wisdom guarded with respect.

Contessa Entellina: the biodiversity estate

Inland in western Sicily, amid rolling hills and a Mediterranean climate, the Contessa Entellina estate is one of Donnafugata's main production centres, where it all began. The vineyards extend over diverse terrains, which give the wines complexity and richness. From these hills come iconic labels such as the A Thousand and One Nightsan intense and seductive red, and the Chiaranda, elegant Sicilian Chardonnay. We cannot fail to mention the Tancredi, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola, Tannat and other varieties. The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected.

Vittoria: organic viticulture for a great DOCG

Located in south-eastern Sicily, it is home to the production of the Floramundi, a Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG that combines the intensity of Nero d'Avola with the freshness of Frappato. The Vittoria estate is distinguished by its organic viticulture and the lightness of its reds, which are also perfect served chilled

Etna: the volcanic face of elegance

On the slopes of Etna, Donnafugata has embraced the challenge of high-altitude viticulture, where the volcanic soil, mountain climate and high temperature range give rise to wines of surprising freshness and minerality. These include theIsolano, Etna DOC white wine resulting from the collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana, and the On the RED Volcanoa refined Nerello Mascalese that tells the essence of the Etnean territory.

The range of wines: a journey through Sicilian terroirs

Donnafugata produces a wide range of white, red, rosé and sweet wines that interpret the different Sicilian territories with authenticity and style. Each bottle is also recognisable by its artistic labels, inspired by the feminine universe, literature and Mediterranean beauty, illustrated by Stefano Vitale.

A strong identity, a Sicilian soul

Donnafugata is not just a winery: it is a cultural project that tells the story of Sicily through wine. The link with art, music, sustainability and the enhancement of the landscape make it a virtuous model of wine entrepreneurship. The objective is clear: to produce quality wines that excite and carry the soul of a complex, intense and extraordinarily beautiful island.

Donnafugata is, ultimately, an escape towards beauty. And it is from the vision of a woman, Gabriella, that it all began.

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