In the mid-19th century, the Rallo family entered the world of winemaking, inspired by the English entrepreneurs who made Marsala famous. Nearly 130 years later, in 1983, the family’s historic cellars in Marsala became the heart of a new venture: the birth of Donnafugata.
Founded by fourth-generation entrepreneur Giacomo Rallo and his wife Gabriella Anca Rallo, a pioneer of high-quality Sicilian viticulture, Donnafugata represents the evolution of winemaking tradition, balancing authenticity and innovation. Today, their children, José and Antonio Rallo, continue to shape one of Sicily’s most prestigious wine brands.
«LA CANTINA DI MARSALA è Il cuore deLL’impresa familiare da generazioni»
Diverse Vineyards, Distinctive Terroirs
Donnafugata cultivates vineyards across different Sicilian territories, enhancing their unique characteristics and matching the ideal grape varieties to each terroir. From the Contessa Entellina estate in western Sicily to the vineyards of Pantelleria and the estates in eastern Sicily – Vittoria (Acate) and Mount Etna – each area contributes to a portfolio that reflects the island’s richness and diversity. Completing this mosaic of excellence are the historic Marsala cellars.
«QUI VENGONO affinATI i vini che provengono dalle tenute DONNAFUGATA»
The Historic Marsala Cellars
Built in 1851, the Marsala cellars are at the core of a constantly evolving production facility dedicated to excellence. These cellars retain the distinctive architecture of the Sicilian “baglio”, featuring a spacious courtyard adorned with citrus and olive trees and wooden trusses crafted by ancient master carpenters.
Inside, winemaking processes integrate advanced technology while respecting the natural qualities of the musts and wines. Aging, carefully tailored to production needs, takes place in steel, cement, wood or bottle. The choice of method – along with its duration and combination – varies depending on the vintage, grape characteristics and desired wine style.
«Gli affinamenti, dIversificati e combinati, assicurano la giusta complessità ai vini»
The Underground Barrel Room: A Jewel of Innovation
While steel tanks are used for short aging and cement tanks for medium to long maturation, the crown jewel of Donnafugata’s aging process is the underground barrel room, built in 2007 and carved into tuff rock. This space provides the perfect environment for refining wines in barriques, ensuring elegance and longevity.
To highlight each grape variety’s unique characteristics and aging potential, Donnafugata has sourced around 20 different types of wood from the finest cooperages, varying the grain of the staves as well as the roasting methods and intensities.
The barrel room is also a model of sustainable architecture, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining the desired temperature (59°F) and humidity (85%) parameters for optimal wood aging.
In order to obtain more harmonious and elegant wines, over the years it has been decided to extend the period of ageing in the bottle, especially for premium red wines destined for great longevity.
«prendersi cura della terra è prendersi cura della qualità della produzione»
Tancredi: A Tribute to Sicilian Culture
One of the most renowned wines from the barrel room is Tancredi, named after a character in Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s masterpiece “Il Gattopardo”, a cornerstone of Sicilian literature. This wine is part of a collection celebrating Sicily’s colors, aromas and culture worldwide. Born from the collaboration between Donnafugata and Dolce&Gabbana, it embodies a shared love for Sicily, blending creativity, tradition, craftsmanship and innovation in a unique narrative.
«Dalla vigna alla bottiglia, per donnafugata non c’è qualità senza sostenibilità»
Preserving Sicily’s Agricultural Heritage
Within the evocative setting of Donnafugata’s historic Marsala cellars, rare citrus varieties from the Kolymbethra Garden – a site cared for by Fai (the Italian Environmental Fund) in Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples – are carefully preserved. Through this initiative, Donnafugata honors Sicily’s ancient landscapes and promotes agricultural biodiversity, reinforcing its philosophy that a deep love for the land is at the heart of its mission, with sustainability being a fundamental value of its Dna.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Donnafugata is indeed committed to producing wines with the utmost respect for both the environment and people. The winery embraces sustainability across every aspect of its operations, from vineyard care and biodiversity conservation to energy efficiency, clean energy production, landscape preservation and community support.
Since 2021, Donnafugata has been part of SOStain Sicilia, the sustainability program for Sicilian viticulture aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
«Il progetto “Donnafugata Music&Wine” unisce vino e musica in degustazioni uniche, con José Rallo che canta i suoi vini»
Enotourism: A Gateway to Sicilian Hospitality
Since the 1990s, Donnafugata has embraced wine tourism, welcoming enthusiasts from all over the world. Visitors embark on a journey of discovery, immersing themselves in a rich historical and cultural heritage deeply intertwined with vines and wines.
At Donnafugata, hospitality reflects the warmth of authentic Sicilian traditions, making guests feel at home while offering immersive experiences at the estates and cellars. Tours combine wine tastings with local culinary specialties, as well as nature and culture.
The Marsala Cellars: A Must-Visit Destination
One of the most captivating experiences is available at the historic Marsala cellars, home to the enchanting Sala delle Botti (Barrel Hall). This space houses massive aging barrels alongside ancient ceramics from Burgio and Caltagirone, as well as wooden panels and bas-reliefs from traditional Sicilian carts, showcasing intricate painted decorations, wood carvings, and wrought-iron embellishments—a true testament to Sicilian craftsmanship.
The historic Marsala cellars are one of five locations featured in the Donnafugata “passport”, inviting wine lovers to explore the various facets of this iconic Sicilian winery.
«nella cantina di Marsala SONO POSSIBILI visite guidate per i wine lover, MA ANCHE degustazioni professionali»
WINERY OPENINGS, TOURS AND TASTINGS
CONTACTS
Via Sebastiano Lipari 18
91025 Marsala (TP)
tel. 0923 724 245
0923 724 263
visitare@donnafugata.it
https://visit.donnafugata.it/
info@donnafugata.it
www.donnafugata.it
