2018 Profile
CONTENTS VALUES The essence of Donnafugata What we do Why choose us? Page 1 DONNAFUGATA IN BRIEF Page 2-3 Brief Profile Timeline THE LAND Page 4-6 Contessa Entellina, vineyards, olive groves and winery Pantelleria, vineyards and winery Etna and Vittoria vineyards and winery Marsala, historic ageing winery D.O.C. designations applicable to our wines SUSTAINABILITY Page 6-8 Good practices in the vineyard Biodiversity and promoting the use of autochthonous varieties Century-old vineyard Carbon Footprint Accounting Energy saving and clean energy Giardino Pantesco (Pantellerian garden) DIALOGUE WITH ART Page 8-9 Donnafugata s links with culture and the land Artistic labels OUR COLLECTIONS Page 10 Icon Wines, Mediterranean Elegance, Versatile Rich in Character, Fresh and Fruity, in addition to the Wine. SENSORIAL EXPERIENCES Page 11 Donnafugata Music & Wine Visit Donnafugata Donnafugata on the web Page 12 PRESS & TRADE ROOM Page 12
The essence of Donnafugata Vision We want to offer the world wines distinguished by pleasantness and complexity, wines that are capable of captivating and making happy those who taste them. We intend to represent the excellence of Made in Italy, the dialogue between art, wine and sustainability. What we do Mission Donnafugata is wine craftsmanship. We produce a range of eclectic and consistent wines with respect for the environment. Wines that represent an innovative and forward-thinking Sicily Why choose us? Brand Identity Those choosing our wines can rely on a sustainable, memorable and high-quality Italian product. People may be won over by the beauty of the labels, the reliability of the brand and the passion that marks everything we do. They will enter the world and the colours of Donnafugata. 1
DONNAFUGATA IN BRIEF BRIEF PROFILE - Donnafugata was created in Sicily through the initiative of a family that, with passion, revolutionized the style and perception of Sicilian wine in the world. Giacomo Rallo - the fourth generation of a family with 160 years of experience in quality wine - founded Donnafugata in 1983 together with his wife Gabriella, and continued to follow the winery with great foresight until his death in May 2016. Today the fifth generation - José and Antonio - leads a team of people of high competence and strongly motivated to represent the excellence of Made in Italy in the world, always accepting new challenges. Donnafugata has 3 historic production premises in Sicily. The ancient family cellars in Marsala, where the bottling and aging processes take place. The Contessa Entellina winery, in the heart of western Sicily, with vineyards (283 hectares) and olive groves (9 hectares). The Khamma winery on Pantelleria, volcanic island between Sicily and Africa, with vineyards planted to Zibibbo (68 hectares) cultivated alberello pantesco (UNESCO World Heritage). With the 2016 harvest, Donnafugata realizes a dream cultivated for a long time: produce, in eastern Sicily, wines under the prestigious Etna, Cerasuolo and Frappato di Vittoria denominations, counting respectively on 15 hectares of vineyards and a vinification cellar in Randazzo on the northern slope of the volcano, and 18 hectares in Acate, classic territory of the denomination. A project that wants to propose the excellence of Sicilian wine from different territories, all of them with extraordinary potential. The name Donnafugata, which means donna in fuga (woman in flight), is taken from the novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) and refers to the story of a queen who found refuge where the company's vineyards are located today. An adventure that also inspired the corporate logo. Today the company's icon wines are the red Mille e una Notte and Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC. Logo aziendale The icon wine PEOPLE - Giacomo Rallo who unexpectedly passed away in May 2016, was a marketing man with deep knowledge of international markets, with the vision to found Donnafugata together with his wife Gabriella. A courageous woman, willing to innovate and pioneer of quality viticulture in Sicily. Curious and sophisticated, the author and inspirer of the revolutionary Donnafugata labels. José, head of management control and communications manager, is a female entrepreneur prepared to put herself on the line to present her wines, even in the role of vocalist. She was awarded with the Premio Bellisario 2002 for her contribution to the valorisation of female entrepreneurship. Antonio, a dedicated agronomist and winemaker with strategic vision, also undertakes commitments outside of the company. He currently is the head of the consortium for safeguarding the denomination DOC Sicilia, an instrument for territorial promotion and cohesion. He presided also the Italian Wine Union (UIV) from 2016 to 2017, the main national association of wine sector companies. LAND Donnafugata cultivates its vineyards (384 hectares) in Sicily where the climate is Mediterranean with dry summers that are windy and characterized by extreme temperature variations. In the company's vineyards everything is focused on producing the best grapes possible. At Contessa Entellina we cultivate autochthonous vine varieties (Ansonica, Catarratto, Grecanico, Grillo, Nero d Avola) and the Italian and international varieties that have best demonstrated adaptability to the pedoclimatic characteristics of the territories. Zibibbo reigns on the island of Pantelleria, Carricante and Nerello Mascalese reign on Etna, Frappato and Nero d Avola in Acate. The DOCs our wines belong to are: Sicilia, Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria, Etna and Frappato di Vittoria. The only DOCG: Cerasuolo di Vittoria. SUSTAINABILITY - From the vine to the bottle, there is no quality without sustainability". Donnafugata does not use herbicides and chemical fertilizers, it produces clean energy and calculates its Carbon Footprint to monitor and reduce its environmental impact. ARTISANSHIP - We produce a range of eclectic and consistent wines, wines characterized by pleasantness and complexity, the fruit of many different combinations of variety and terroir. A sartorial savoir - faire that aims to improve Donnafugata s quality over time and results in wines that satisfy and please consumers. SENSORIAL EXPERIENCES Every bottle of Donnafugata is a tale filled with emotion, a sensory fabric perceived in the mouth that remains in the heart and mind. Donnafugata welcomes wine lovers from every continent to its wineries, offering various tasting itineraries. 2
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THE LAND Contessa Entellina - vineyards, olive groves and winery In the heart of western Sicily, where vines and olives are an integral part of the landscape, lie the Contessa Entellina vineyards, olive groves and winery. Climate is Mediterranean: rainfalls mostly in autumn and winter, warm, dry and windy summers with deep diurnal shifts. Grapes grown on the company's 283 hectares (699 acres) of land are brought here. We cultivate both autochthonous varieties Ansonica, Catarratto, Grecanico, Grillo and Nero d Avola and Italian and international vine varieties that have proven to adapt well to the characteristics of the territory, such as Fiano, Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and also small quantities of Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Alicante Bouchet, Tannat, Petit Verdot and Pinot Nero. ARTISANSHIP Cultivating 17 varieties is the result of an agronomic choice aimed at enhancing the distinctive qualities of the 10 contrade (districts) where the company's vineyards are located, which differ in terms of soil, altitude, exposure and microclimatic conditions. The harvest follows the different ripening stages. After careful selection of the clusters in the vineyard and on a vibrating table in the winery, the different grape varieties undergo separate vinification. An important development has been introduced for the stage in which red grapes enter the winery. Thanks to a latest generation destemmer, we are able to discard any green and overripe berries that might still be on the clusters. This allows us to select and vinify only intact and perfectly ripe grapes. In the 9-hectare olive grove, from which Donnafugata produces its extra virgin olive oil, four of western Sicily s autochthonous varieties are cultivated; these are Nocellara, Cerasuola, Biancolilla and Pidicuddara. Together they make up the blend of Milleanni, an oil produced in a controlled atmosphere using the best cold extraction and malaxation technologies, meaning all of the aromatic properties of the fruit remain intact. Pantelleria - vineyards and winery On Pantelleria, a volcanic island located between Sicily and Africa, Donnafugata boasts 68 hectares (168 acres) of vineyards spread over 14 districts, which differ in terms of soil, altitude, exposure, microclimatic conditions and age of plants, which are sometimes more than 100 years old. The vine variety is Zibibbo (Moscato d Alessandria), a prince among the aromatic varieties. The vines are trained to a very low bush, shaped by the wind, on small terraces bordered by dry-built lava stone walls. A context of heroic viticulture that requires a great deal of manual labour, about three times that employed in the Contessa Entellina vineyards. More labour is needed to maintain the dry stone walls. Indeed, Donnafugata has restored about 20 km of them over the last 25 years, making a considerable contribution to protecting the landscape. In this territory where the olive trees are cultivated on terraces, Donnafugata produces the monocultivar olive oil from Biancolilla. ARTISANSHIP - The vine is cultivated in hollows. The training system makes the plant grow horizontally, almost creeping along the ground, allowing it to withstand the wind on the island. The alberello pantesco (bush-trained vine), has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage as a highly sustainable and creative agricultural practice. Symbol of this viticulture is the Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria, Donnafugata s iconic wine. It is made using a production process based on natural raisining of fresh grapes laid out on racks, manual stripping of dried grapes from the stems and a carefully tailored vinification process. 4
Donnafugata's winery is located in the Khamma district, in a natural amphitheatre composed of 13 hectares of terraces rising towards Mount Gibele. A prime example of sustainable architecture, it was built with full respect for the landscape of the island. The winery consists of two units: one used for vinification, covered with hand cut lava stone, and one that serves as a receiving area. In the Khamma winery, individual lots of grapes are processed separately until the final blending stage is reached to respect and enhance the various viticultural contexts. Ben Ryé, Kabir and Lighea are made here. Etna and Vittoria vineyards and winery With the 2016 harvest Donnafugata launches, in eastern Sicily, a project cultivated for a long time: produce wines under the prestigious Etna, Cerasuolo and Frappato di Vittoria denominations, proposing the excellence of Sicilian wine from different territories, all of them blessed with extraordinary potential. The viticultural landscape on Etna is characterized by terraces and dry built lava stone walls and by the activity of the volcano with its eruptions of lava, pumice, ash, lapilli and steam that are deposited on the volcanic soils. The climate is marked by higher rainfall than the rest of Sicily and the altitude also makes its effects felt on the vineyard. On Etna Donnafugata can count on about 15 hectares of vineyards in production, all in the DOC zone: about 13 hectares of Nerello Mascalese and 2 of Carricante. The vineyards are on the northern slope of the volcano, in 5 different districts: in Randazzo, at an altitude of 750 m a.s.l., they are in the districts of Monte La Guardia, Campo Re, Calderara and Allegracore and also in Passopisciaro in the district of Marchesa at about 730 m a.s.l. The grapes are vinified in the company's winery in contrada Statella, Randazzo. In this territory Donnafugata produces also the monocultivar olive oil from Nocellara Etnea. Another highly suitable area is the Vittoria zone, between the Hyblean plateau and the sea in south-eastern Sicily. In the territory of Acate, a comune that falls within the classic perimeter of the denomination, Donnafugata cultivates a total of 18 hectares (11 of Nero d Avola and 7 of Frappato) destined for the wines Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and Bell Assai Frappato DOC. The soils are medium-textured interspersed with calcareous tuff. The climate is typically Mediterranean, warm temperate, mitigated by a sea breeze during the summer, as well as by a wide variation between day and night temperatures. Marsala family historic winery The Marsala winery is home to a dynamic production facility aimed at excellence. Built in 1851, it retains the typical layout of a Mediterranean baglio, enclosing a spacious courtyard dotted with citrus and olive trees and wooden trusses, the work of master carpenters of long ago. Wine produced at Contessa Entellina and Pantelleria is brought here for ageing (in steel, cement or wood) and bottling. The processes used in the winery involve simple technologies that respect the intrinsic qualities of the musts and wines. 5
SUSTAINABILITY - The winery consists of tanks and temperaturecontrolled environments that are also insulated to achieve maximum energy savings. The same logic has also been applied to the underground barrique cellar, built in 2007. Carved out of the tuff rock, the barrique cellar allows us to reduce the use of energy needed to maintain the desired temperature and humidity parameters (15 C and 85% respectively). The barriques and tonneaux used are made from French oak. To respect the distinctive qualities of the individual vine varieties and enhance their potential for development, we select about twenty types of wood that differ in terms of the grain of the staves and the method and level of toasting. D.O.C. (Controlled Designation of Origin) designations applicable to our wines The denominations our wines belong to are: Sicilia DOC, Contessa Entellina DOC (created in 1994 through the initiative of Donnafugata), Pantelleria DOC, Etna DOC, Frappato di Vittoria DOC and Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. DOC Sicilia was introduced in 2012 and Antonio Rallo, one of its main promoters, was elected Chairman of the Consorzio di Tutela, a consortium established to protect the designation. The consortium brings together over 2,500 viticulturists with about 9,000 hectares of vineyards and in 2014 the Ministry of Agriculture recognized the consortium and assigned to it, erga omnes, the functions of safeguarding, promoting and enhancing the Sicilia Doc production in Italy and on the international markets SUSTAINABILITY A deep love of its land has always been at the core of Donnafugata. A desire to produce wines capable of representing Sicily in the world, preserving natural resources and enhancing biodiversity. From the vine to the bottle, there is no quality without sustainability". This is the company philosophy. Good practices in the vineyard Donnafugata has adopted an integrated production system in the vineyard that ensures eco-sustainable management of the agricultural activities (Good Agricultural Practices, GAP). The company doesn t use herbicides and chemical fertilizers and has minimized the use of pesticides thanks to integrated control techniques, such as the monitoring of climate parameters (rainfall, temperature, humidity, etc.) and the control of insects (moths) present in the vineyard, through the use of pheromone traps. Donnafugata is also pursuing sustainability with the use of green manure, organic fertilization, emergency irrigation and cluster thinning, thus rationalizing the use of natural resources such as soil, water, air and energy. The good practices that Donnafugata has adopted in the vineyard are an indispensable instrument for the production of healthy and perfectly ripen grapes, minimizing impact on the environment. Carbon Footprint Accounting Calculating the Carbon Footprint of its wines and displaying the certification on every bottle is a commitment towards consumers. Since 2011, Donnafugata has worked with DNV, one of the leading certifying bodies in the world, to quantify the CO 2 emissions throughout the entire production cycle, from the vineyard to bottling. By processing the data collected, we were able to introduce initiatives designed to reduce environmental impact even further, such as the use of a lighter bottle, saving on emissions connected with production of the glass and those connected with transport, and the replacement of technical corks with Select BIO synthetic corks with zero carbon footprint and 100% recyclable. As from 2014, all of Donnafugata s bottles carry a label showing the Carbon Footprint certification, expressing the company's commitment to continuous improvement of its environmental performance in a clear and traceable manner. 6
This communication offers consumers the utmost transparency, enhanced by the use of a QR code that can be read by smartphones, which leads to a page on the company's website illustrating the main results of the Carbon Footprint Accounting process. Biodiversity and the enhancement of autochthonous varieties The desire to produce wines whose quality increase over time, finds an important ally in biodiversity. Indeed, the way that different varieties and biotypes interact with the individual terroirs produces unique wines with a strong identity. Precisely for this reason, Donnafugata created two experimental vineyards focused on the development of autochthonous varieties. At Contessa Entellina, Donnafugata (in collaboration with Regione Sicilia) planted an experimental field with 19 different autochthonous varieties, making a total of 30 biotypes. They are vine varieties that are widespread throughout Sicily (including Nero d Avola, Catarratto and Ansonica) and also varieties that are relics from the past (Alzano, Nocera, Vitrarolo and others), almost completely extinct. The initiative involves a group of wineries located in different parts of Sicily and aims to identify and select the vine varieties that can give the best oenological results for each territory, through the use of small batch fermentation. On Pantelleria, 33 biotypes of Zibibbo from different areas of the Mediterranean (Spain, France, Greece and southern Italy) have been planted under the supervision of Professor Attilio Scienza. Planted in March 2010, the 2,117 vines (about 64 plants of each biotype) cover 0.6 hectares (1 acre) of land in the Barone district, in the south of the island, at an altitude of about 400 meters (1,300 ft) above sea level. The study involves both fresh grapes and dried grapes, as well as wines produced from small batch fermentation. It aims to identify which Zibibbo clones express the best viticultural and oenological potential within the context of the island of Pantelleria. Century-old vineyard In 1999, Donnafugata breathed new life into a century-old vineyard in the Khamma district on Pantelleria. Planted with Zibibbo, it contained several ungrafted plants that had survived phylloxera and were over 100 years old. Unique vines, healthier and with a longer life span than grafted plants, capable of resisting well to drought, limestone and salinity, with a vegetation-production balance that produces exceptional grapes. These specimens, which are of great historical importance for Sicilian viticulture, as demonstrated by Professor Mario Fregoni of the Università Cattolica in Piacenza, have made Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria even more complex and elegant. Energy saving and clean energy On the path to sustainability, Donnafugata has focused above all on reducing its energy consumption. At the Contessa Entellina estate, a night-time harvest has been introduced for the Chardonnay grapes. Exploiting the difference in temperature between day and night reduces the amount of energy needed to cool the grapes before crushing by 70%. Another important contribution to sustainability is achieved by the production of clean energy from renewable sources with photovoltaic systems installed at Contessa Entellina (50 Kw) and Marsala (50 Kw), that allow us to reduce our CO 2 emissions per year. 7
Giardino Pantesco (Pantellerian garden) Set amongst the company's vineyards at Khamma, is the striking Giardino Pantesco, which Donnafugata restored and donated to FAI, Fondo Ambiente Italiano (the Italian National Trust) in 2008. It is a typical form of rural architecture with high dry-stone walls. The circular plan, size and lava stone create the ideal microclimate for cultivating and protecting from the wind and drought an ageold orange tree, a precious source of vitamins. Symbolic of the knowledge possessed by the island's farmers, the garden is an agronomic system that is self-sufficient with regard to water. Open to visitors during the months of July, August and September, it is included in the itinerary of a full tour from the vineyard to the winery. Dimensions: outer height of wall from 2.7 to 4 m, inner height of wall 3 m, wall thickness 1.30 m, inside diameter 8.4 m, outside diameter 11 m. Donnafugata s links with culture and the land DIALOGUE WITH ART The company has always paid homage to the history and beauty of its land. It does this by drawing inspiration from literature, promoting archaeological research and art. An act that makes it representative of an innovative Sicily and the excellence that is Made in Italy. The first reference in the dialogue between art and wine is linked to the name Donnafugata, which was taken from the novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard). A common thread that continues in the names chosen for some of the wines, an homage to the literary works of Tomasi di Lampedusa (Tancredi, Sedàra, Lighea and Angheli) or the masterpiece of Arabic literature entitled One Thousand and One Nights (Sherazade and Mille e una Notte). Over the years, Donnafugata has supported the Tomasi di Lampedusa literary award, which has awarded prizes to writers such as Abraham Yehoshua, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Claudio Magris and Anita Desai. Since 2000, Donnafugata has been supporting the Scuola Normale of Pisa in the archaeological excavations on Rocca di Entella - the ancient city of Anthìlia - near the Contessa Entellina vineyards. The Elymians lived here and it is thought that they were responsible for introducing grapevine cultivation in this area, as demonstrated by numerous finds discovered on the Rocca and Roman coins that bear the effigy of a bunch of grapes. Donnafugata also sponsors the Giuseppe Nenci prize, named after the great archaeologist. Today Anthìlia is the name given to Donnafugata s most popular white wine in the world. Donnafugata has contributed to enhancing the artistic heritage of the land by sponsoring the restoration of Madonna with Child (XV century AD) in the Pepoli Museum in Trapani and has also undertaken to support the Tapestry Museum, which houses eight Flemish works of great value. 8
Artistic labels Donnafugata labels are also works of art created or inspired by Gabriella Rallo. Unique and inimitable, they represent a way of being, a style. Donnafugata distinguishes itself by the names chosen for its wines and the artistic designs, each of which, in addition to being an homage to art and literature, interpret the personality of the wine. ARTISTIC LABELS Gabriella has been the source of inspiration for many labels designed by Stefano Vitale. He is an exceptional artist with a unique style and is able to capture the personality of each of the wines. 9
OUR COLLECTIONS Donnafugata is the intelligence of hands, the ability of man, tradition and curiosity. A tailored approach that exploits the positive features of Mediterranean climate and that allows Donnafugata to produce a range of wines distinguished by pleasantness and complexity. Donnafugata s collections satisfy the wish of exclusivity, charm, harmony and joy. ICONIC WINES When you desire exclusivity Wines with unique personality, icons of excellence Mille e una Notte 2014 Ben Ryé 2015 Terre Siciliane IGT (Nero d Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and other grapes) [RED] Passito di Pantelleria DOC (Zibibbo) [NATURALLY SWEET WINE] MEDITERRANEAN ELEGANCE Great wines produced from international varieties When you desire charm Donnafugata Brut 2013 Vino Spumante Sicilia Doc - Metodo Classico [SPARKLING] Donnafugata Brut Rosé 2013 Vino Spumante Sicilia Doc - Metodo Classico [SPARKLING] Chiarandà 2015 Sicilia Contessa Entellina DOC Chardonnay [WHITE] Tancredi 2014 Terre Siciliane IGT (Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d'avola; with Tannat and other grapes) When you love originality SURPRISING WINES From the hidden corners of Sicily Sul Vulcano 2016 Etna DOC [WHITE] Bell Assai 2016 Sicilia Vittoria DOC Frappato Sicilia [RED] Floramundi 2016 Sicilia Cerauolo di Vittoria DOCG [RED] VERSATILE RICH IN CHARACTER When you desire conviviality Wines that accompany you throughout the meal Lighea 2017 Sicilia DOC Zibibbo [WHITE] La Fuga 2016 Sicilia Contessa Entellina DOC Chardonnay [WHITE] Vigna di Gabri 2016 Sicilia DOC (Ansonica and other grapes) [WHITE] Angheli 2014 Sicilia DOC Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon [RED] Kabir 2017 Moscato di Pantelleria DOC (Zibibbo) [NATURALLY SWEET WINE] When you desire joy Prio 2017 SurSur 2017 Lumera 2017 Sherazade 2016 Anthìlia 2017 Sedàra 2016 FRESH AND INFORMAL Pleasant wines with autochthonous varieties Sicilia DOC Catarratto [WHITE] Sicilia DOC Grillo [WHITE] Sicilia DOC Rosato (Syrah, Nero d Avola, Pinot Nero) [ROSE'] Nero d Avola Sicilia DOC [RED] Sicilia DOC (Catarratto and other grapes) [WHITE] Sicilia DOC (Nero d Avola and other varieties) [RED] IN ADDITION TO THE WINE When you desire harmony For the lovers of olive oil and grappa Milleanni Biancolilla Nocellara Etnea Grappa Mille e una Notte Grappa Ben Ryé Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Nocellara del Belìce, Biancolilla, Cerasuola and Pidicuddara) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Biancolilla) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Nocellara Etnea) (marc of top quality red grapes of Mille e una Notte; matured in oak) (marc of Zibibbo grapes of Ben Ryè; matured in oak) 10
SENSORIAL EXPERIENCES Donnafugata is a tale filled with emotion, a sensory fabric perceived in the mouth that remains in the heart. Donnafugata sings its wines around the world through the voice of José Rallo and welcomes wine lovers from every continent to its wineries. Donnafugata Music & Wine: notes of wine and music blend together in an exciting initiative Donnafugata Music & Wine is a project created in 2002 by Josè Rallo and her husband Vincenzo Favara, both passionate about jazz and Brazilian music. José, producer and solo vocalist, goes on stage to present a multisensory experience, pairing each wine with a piece of music, the rhythm of which accompanies the sensations perceived during the tasting. Some unforgettable concerts were held in 2004 at Blue Note in Milan, in 2005 at Blue Note in New York, and in Peking and Shanghai in 2006, followed by Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 2004, the first live CD was recorded, which raised funds for the department of paediatric cardiac surgery at the Civico hospital in Palermo, followed by a second live CD that was recorded in 2008. In 2011, José Rallo, accompanied by clarinet and cello, recorded seven mini-clips for a virtual tasting on the website and on You Tube. In 2012, the performance animated the live streaming of the nighttime harvest and in 2014, José sang her wines to the Masters of Wine symposium. Visit Donnafugata Donnafugata opened its doors to wine enthusiasts in the late '90s, to share and spread the culture of wine. The number of visitors has increased over time, reaching up to 10,000 visitors in 2016 with a 30% share of foreigners. The welcoming project at cellar doors has a fun and educational approach that aims at the best involvement of wine lovers. A welcoming style that visitors can experience throughout the year at the historic cellars in Marsala and during summer, in Pantelleria estate. Expert operators dedicate themselves to a limited number of visitors; the tour of the cellars and the introduction to the production techniques are thorough; the wine-food pairings are carefully selected; the rooms where the tastings take place are striking and functional, although the engaging informality approach always remains. The visitor can choose from different tastings which vary depending on the number of wines tasted and their possible pairing with typical Sicilian food or delicious specialties of the Mediterranean cuisine: a sartorial approach that aims at satisfying the needs of the visitor who can also purchase all Donnafugata wines in the cellar. Two annual appointments are not to be missed: Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars), the last Sunday in May in Marsala, and Calici di Stelle (Goblets of Stars), 10 August at the Contessa Entellina estate. The welcoming project includes a web-site completely dedicated to reception: visit.donnafugata.it where the user can find all the information about winery tours and events, as well as tips for exploring the territories of Western Sicily. The web-site is also completely accessible from mobile devices and allows to book the tour. A hospitality designed to ensure that Donnafugata s visitors have a memorable experience. 11
Donnafugata on the web The web is a sphere of strategic interaction and sharing, reason for Donnafugata s decision to restyle its website that puts the person, their desires and their navigation experience, first: user first! A reversal of perspective that focuses on the emotions and expectations of those who make the journey to discover the world of Donnafugata; a fluid journey that, through the storytelling mode, narrates the winery's values, protagonists, territories, wines. Furthermore, more space was dedicated to the Collections of Donnafugata, which present the winery s production in four key desires helping the consumer in its buying choices. The challenge is to evoke maximum user involvement offering privileged glimpses into the winery, proposing an immersive experience. The fruit of a completely new project, in line with the latest web design trends, the website represents the heart of the winery's digital communication system that in recent years has greatly evolved through the development of DonnafugataWine channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Through social media, Donnafugata offers a variety of contents ranging from company news to products (new releases and awards), from drinking occasions and the right choice of wine to visits and tastings in the cellar. The relationship between wine and conviviality is the topic that stimulates and reflects best the great involvement Donnafugata reaches among its fans: #DonnafugataTime is in fact the hashtag that well summarizes the emotional value of the experience "drinking Donnafugata ". As far as social media is concerned, Twitter is certainly the one that best addresses sector operators, journalists and digital influencers - especially abroad -. On Facebook, Donnafugata reaches the general public of final consumers, also through live shows. The winelovers who like to be constantly updated on the company's events and activities, interact expressing their opinions and comments, to share their favorite content. Finally, Donnafugata is also on Instagram, the channel that favors the visual element and for which the company constantly produces photos, videos (even live) that allow us to tell the wine and its labels, food, places of production (vineyards and cellars). Among the subjects of the communication of Instagram, the protagonists are the people: José or Antonio Rallo who present a wine, a cellarmaster during work or a pruner in the vineyard, a visitor who tastes. At Donnafugata, people and their stories are always full of great emotions. PRESS & TRADE ROOM Within the website you find an area entirely dedicated to professionals and wine communicators available at the PRESS & TRADE ROOM menu item structured in several sections, specifically designed for you. PRESS-KIT: a selection of downloadable documents, including the company profile, the Donnafugata logo, and other institutional materials [www.donnafugata.it/en/press-kit] PRESS RELEASES: a collection of press releases available by key words and chronology [www.donnafugata.it/en/press-releases] PHOTO GALLERY: a selection of downloadable pictures, organized by macro themes [www.donnafugata.it/en/photo-gallery] When using Donnafugata images, please remember to cite the author of the photograph and copyright as indicated in the text file that can be downloaded together with the images Public Relations Baldo M. Palermo baldo.palermo@donnafugata.it phone: +39 0923 724 226 Laura Ellwanger pr.international@donnafugata.it phone: +39 0923 724 258 12