The name Donnafugata, meaning "woman on the run" in Italian, was inspired by Queen Marie-Caroline of Naples, who took refuge on the land of a local prince in Sicily at the time of Napoleon’s occupation of Naples.
Founded in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, the Donnafugata estate boasts a long legacy of family winemaking. Giacomo Rallo was actually the fourth generation of his family cultivating the vine and producing wines that have been widely recognised for their quality since 1851.
The Donnafugata estate produces wines on 5 different sites. The Donnafugata estate is headuqartered in Marsala, in the north-west of Sicily, where the historical property of the family has long been established. The buildings here, dating from 1851, are used for aging and bottling the wine. To the west of Sicily is the Contessa Entellina vineyard with 283 hectares of vines. On the volcanic island of Pantelleria, located between Sicily and Africa, Donnafugata has 68 hectares of vines spread over 14 different areas, showcases one main grape variety: Zibibbo. In the Vittoria area, in the south-east of Sicily, the Donnafugata estate has 36 hectares of vineyards. The family company also owns 18 hectares of vines in the DOC Etna, spread over 5 different areas.
This diversity of terroirs and wine styles all nevertheless have in common the same passion for the Sicilian wine region and all it has to offer.
While international grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Chardonnay are grown here, indigenous grape varieties are strongly represented by Nero d'Avola, Frappato, Ansico, Grillo and Grecanico.
The eclectic portfolio of the Donnafugata estate is full of complexity and charm. The Donnafugata team’s great passion for the Sicilian land and the treasures it holds is reflected by the brand’s adoption of environmentally friendly viticultural methods. True stewards of the Sicilian terroir, Donnafugata takes great care to minimise environmental impact and displays the carbon footprint of each wine on the label.
