We cultivate our vineyards using different methods to enhance the extraordinary potential of the island, from the coastal areas to the hills and the mountainous areas. Sicily boasts over 70 native varieties of grape and a multitude of extraordinary climates.
In our vineyards, we are focus on these diversities by combining the terroir and the grape varieties: from the Contessa Entellina estate in the western Sicily and the volcanic island of Pantelleria, up to the eastern side of Vittoria (Acate) and Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
In our vineyards we focus on the diversities by matching the terroir and the grape variety, from the Contessa Entellina estate in western Sicily and the volcanic island of Pantelleria, Vittoria (Acate) on the eastern side and Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
The Cellars where the vinification and ageing process take place
Hectares of vineyards at the Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria, Vittoria and Etna estates
Districts, each one with unique characteristics
Indigenous varieties in production
Our commitment is to protect the biodiversity of Sicily through the enhancement of indigenous varieties thus representing the island in an authentic and innovative way.
In 2009 we planted an experimental field at Contessa Entellina with 19 different indigenous varieties, for a total of 30 biotypes; this gave us the opportunity to cultivate Nocera, a heritage variety that today completes the blend of some of our wines.
In 2010 we planted 33 biotypes of Zibibbo on our Pantelleria estate, taken from different areas of the Mediterranean. The aim was to identify the clones that best express the viticultural and enological potential in the specific microclimate of the island.
Our story begins on the hills of Contessa Entellina
The name Donnafugata, chosen by Gabriella and inspired by the novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) by Tomasi di Lampedusa, means “woman on the run” and refers to the story of Queen Maria Carolina, wife of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, who found refuge at Contessa Entellina, where the company vineyards are. A literary territory where our adventure begins: it was, in fact, the writer himself who indicated the possessions of the prince of Salina with the name Donnafugata.
A name that reveals a story
Donnafugata is not only our name but also the story of Gabriella, the founder of the company together with her husband Giacomo. A story that inspired our logo: the face of a woman with her hair blowing in the wind, the same face as Gabriella’s, the “woman on the run” who chose to devote herself to the world of wine, becoming a pioneer in quality and feminine viticulture.
