Welcome to the world of Donnafugata, a Sicilian winery that has been producing truly excellent red and white wines for over 170 years. Our founder Giacomo Rallo and his wife Gabriella founded the company in 1983 and today ther children José and Antonio lead the company with a team focused on excellence.
Donnafugata's name is a reference to the novl Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) by Tomasi di Lampedusa, which means “donna in fuga” or “fleeing woman” in Italian. This refers to the story of a queen who found refuge in the part of Sicily where our vineyards are located today.
We operate four production sites across Sicily: Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria, Vittoria and Etna. Each site produces its own unique blend of grapes that are carefully cultivated to create premium-quality wines. Our wines have won numerous awards for their high quality and we strive to make sure all our products reflect this commitment to excellence.
One of our most popular wines is Ben Rye, an Arabic term meaning “Son of the Wind” – quite apt for its light and fruity character! The label for Ben Rye is also quite distinctive with its stylized representation of wind-blown sails and wheat fields. This wine has a romantic history that makes it even more special when you drink it!
At Donnafugata, we believe that quality should never be compromised when it coms to making wine. We source our grapes from only the best producers in Sicily and use traditional methods combined with modern technology to ensure every bottle reflects our commitment to quality.
Visit our website today to learn more abut Donnafugata and take a virtual tour of our production sites!
The Meaning of the Word ‘Donnafugata'
Donnafugata is a term derived from the novel Il Gattopardo by Tomasi di Lampedusa. It literally translates to “fleeing woman” and is a reference to the story of a queen in the novel who found shelter in the part of Sicily where Donnafugata's vineyards are located today. The term has bcome associated with Donnafugata's wines and their philosophy of making wines that express the uniqueness of the land on which they are produced.
The Quality of Donnafugata Wine
Yes, Donnafugata is a great wine! With over 160 years of winemaking experience and four production sites in Sicily, Donnafugata is one of the most respected Italian wineries. They produce both red and white wines that have won numerous awards and accolades. Their red wines are generally intense, full-bodied, and velvety while their white wines tend to be fresh and aromatic. Many critics have praised their unique style that combines classic Italian winemaking techniques with modern technology. Their commitment to quality has earned them a loyal folowing among fans of Italian wines!
Who is the Owner of Donnafugata?
Donnafugata is crrently owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Rallo family. The company was founded in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo and his wife Gabriella, and today their children José and Antonio lead the company with a team focused on excellence. The family has over 170 years of experience in producing quality wines, and their passion for creating delicious wines has made Donnafugata one of the most well-known wine brands in Italy.
Conclusion
Donnafugata is a Sicilian wine company with a long history of excellence. Founded in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo and his wife Gabriella, the company has since been led by ther children José and Antonio, who are focused on continuing to produce quality wines. Donnafugata's signature wine, Ben Rye, is named after the Arabic term meaning “Son of the Wind,” and its label pays homage to the novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) which Donnafugata takes its name from; meaning “donna in fuga” (fleeing woman). With four production sites located throughout Sicily, Donnafugata continues to craft some of the finest wines in Europe.