Donnafugata

The history of Donnafugata

In 1851 is the entry of the Rallo family from Sicily in the wine world. The company Donnafugata, as it exists today, is founded in 1983 by Giacomo and Gabriella. in 1989 they develop vineyards on the island of Pantelleria and cultivate Zibibbo, the Passito wine Ben Ryé is vinified.

in 1990 Gabriella and Giacomo's children join the company: José and Antonio. In 1994 the first artist label is created, drawn by Stefano Vitale. in 1995 the first vintage of Mille e Una Notte is produced, in collaboration with Giacomo Tachis. In 1999 the centenary vineyard in Pantelleria is planted with rootless Zibibbo.

In the 2000s, the company begins to focus on sustainability. in 2002, the first PH value photovoltaic system is installed on Contessa Entellina, followed by two more. 

in 2006, Giacomo Rallo is awarded the Cross of Merit Knight of the Order of Labor of the Italian Republic. This is the highest honor for an entrepreneur in Italy.

in 2007, an underground barrique cellar is built in Marsala to save energy. from 2009 to 2010, experimental vineyards are planted on Contessa Entellina and on Pantelleria for the purpose of a study on autochthonous grapes and for the valorization of very rare grape varieties that are in danger of disappearing.

in 2011 Donnafugata calculates its own carbon footprint and quantifies the CO² emissions from the vineyard to the bottle. 2012 DOC Sicilia is created, Antonio Rallo is elected president of the protection cooperative.

in 2016, the head of the family, Giacomo Rallo, pioneer of Sicily's success around the world, passes away. In the same year Antonio Rallo is elected president of the Italian Wine Federation.

The name Donnafugata

The name of the Donnafugata winery refers to the novel "The Leopard" by Tomasi di Lampedusa and means "woman on the run". It recalls the story of a queen who found refuge in the part of Sicily where the Rallo family now grows grapes. This also inspired the company logo, which can be found on every bottle.

Donnafugata in numbers

• 160 years the company Donnafugata is already on the market
• 5 wineries are available for the production of wine
• 410 hectares of vineyards are cultivated in Contessa Entellina and Pantelleria
• donnafugata is present on 60 markets
• 110 employees were part of the company in 2015
• 20 grape varieties are planted
• 7 quality certifications

The places of Donnafugata

• Marsala: historic family winery
• Pantelleria: vineyards and wineries
• Vittoria: vineyards and wineries
• Etna: vineyards and wineries
• Contessa Entellina: vineyards, olive groves and wineries

Donnafugata and sustainability

In the vineyards of Donnafugata weed killers and chemical fertilizers are applied, the use of pesticides is reduced to a minimum, instead using the techniques of integrated pest management. Climatic parameters such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, etc. are monitored, insect occurrence is controlled through the use of attractant traps. The growth of the plants is accompanied by green manuring, organic fertilization, supplementary irrigation and thinning. This rationalizes the use of natural resources such as soil, water, air and energy.

On each bottle of Donnafugata wines is printed the ecological and water footprint.