Donnafugata

Discovering Donnafugata

Donnafugata is a prestigious brand in the Italian wine industry, embodying a contemporary and cosmopolitan Sicily, deeply connected to its roots and history, yet also aware of its appeal and eager to share it with the world. Founded by a passionate family that has managed to transform Sicilian wine in both style and global perception, Donnafugata was established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, a fourth-generation member of a family with over a century and a half of experience in high-quality winemaking, together with his wife Gabriella, a pioneer of Sicilian viticulture. Today, their children José and Antonio manage the company alongside a team of highly qualified experts who are committed to achieving excellence in every aspect of their work. The name Donnafugata is inspired by the famous novel “The Leopard” by Tomasi di Lampedusa and refers to the story of a queen who sought refuge in the part of Sicily where the company’s vineyards are now located. This episode inspired the company’s logo: an image of a woman with her hair blown by the wind, featured on every bottle.

Donnafugata is now a globally appreciated brand, a symbol of territorial charm and the high quality of Sicilian wine. The company owns a historic winery and four estates: in Contessa Entellina, Western Sicily, where Donnafugata was born, there is a winemaking cellar and 285 hectares of vineyards. In Pantelleria, a sunny and windy volcanic island, the Khamma district winery is surrounded by 68 hectares of Zibibbo vineyards cultivated in the traditional “alberello pantesco” style (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). In Eastern Sicily, on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, there are a winery and 35 hectares of vineyards, while in Vittoria, the homeland of Baroque, the winery is surrounded by 36 hectares of vineyards. Finally, in Marsala, there is the historic winery, where Donnafugata wines are refined in steel, concrete, and the evocative underground barrel room. A cutting-edge production facility where the past and present meet.

Donnafugata is dedicated to creating high-quality wines from unique terroirs, made even more captivating by the beautiful artistic labels with a fantastic, feminine identity language, mostly created by illustrator Stefano Vitale, which manage to express the vibrancy and soul of Sicily. Commitment to work and attention to detail are two fundamental principles throughout the entire production process, while sustainability is a core value for Donnafugata, with over 30 years of good practices under its belt.

Initiatives include vineyard management, Carbon and Water Footprint, biodiversity, promotion of indigenous grape varieties, energy savings, clean energy, landscape, and sustainable architecture. Names like Ben Ryé, Mille e una Notte, Chiarandà, Tancredi, and many others are now synonymous with prestige and excellence both in Italy and abroad. Donnafugata wines embody the charm of Sicilian land and passionately describe the sensory experience. Each bottle reveals the extraordinary beauty of an island rich in natural treasures and diversity, leading to the discovery of the most authentic and noble aspect of Sicily, offering enchantment and emotion with every sip.