Donnafugata Sherazade

The name Donnafugata refers to the novel by Tomasi di Lampedusa entitled Il Gattopardo (The Leopard). A name that means “donna in fuga” (woman in flight) and refers to the story of a queen who found refuge in the part of Sicily where the company’s vineyards are located today. An adventure that inspired the corporate logo: the image of a woman’s head with windblown hair that dominates every bottle. Donnafugata labels are also works of art created or inspired by Gabriella Rallo, as are the names of the wines, an homage to art and literature.

The company can count on its historic cellar and four estates. In Contessa Entellina, western Sicily, where Donnafugata was established, there is a winemaking cellar, 285 hectares of vineyards and 9 hectares of olive groves; in Pantelleria, a volcanic island between Sicily and North Africa, the Khamma district winery boasts 68 hectares of Zibibbo vineyards cultivated with low bush vines called “alberello pantesco” (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and 5 hectares of olive groves. In eastern Sicily, on the northern slope of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, there is a winery with a barrique cellar in Randazzo, 21 hectares of vineyards and 2 hectares of olive groves. In the territory of DOC Vittoria, in Acate, the latest generation winery is surrounded by 36 hectares of vineyards. Finally, the historical family cellars in Marsala are an example of a productive reality that is being constantly updated. Here it is possible to visit the scenographic underground barrique cellar.

Donnafugata was established in Sicily by a family that, thanks to its passion, has been able to innovate the style and perception of Sicilian wine throughout the world. Giacomo Rallo, the fourth generation of a family with over 160 years of experience in quality wine, founded Donnafugata in 1983 together with his wife Gabriella, a pioneer of viticulture in Sicily. Today, their children José and Antonio lead the company and a team of people focused on excellence.