Sicily, culture and design

Donnafugata

the woman in flight

Sicily · Italy

The name comes from Il Gattopardo and the tale of a queen who fled to Sicily. For decades the Rallo family has made wines that unite Sicilian terroirs, music, art — and a collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana.

Founded: 1983, Giacomo and Gabriella Rallo
Terroirs: Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria, Etna, Vittoria, Marsala
Today: José and Antonio Rallo
Emblem: a woman with her hair in the wind

“A woman with her hair in the wind — on every label.”

Donnafugata's underground barrique cellar in Marsala

A name from a novel

“Donnafugata” means the woman who fled. The name recalls Queen Maria Carolina, who fled Naples for Sicily in the early nineteenth century, and the estate Tomasi di Lampedusa mentions in Il Gattopardo. That woman — her hair in the wind — became the emblem on every label.

The Rallo family

The Rallos have worked with wine since the mid-nineteenth century. In 1983 Giacomo and Gabriella Rallo founded Donnafugata, and Gabriella boldly planted vineyards at Contessa Entellina, in the interior of western Sicily. Today the estate is led by José and Antonio Rallo.

José is also a singer — music is part of the estate's identity, from concerts to labels drawn by artists.

Pantelleria

Contessa Entellina gives fresh whites and elegant reds such as Tancredi and Mille e una Notte. On the volcanic island of Pantelleria, from low zibibbo vines in stone terraces, comes the sweet wine Ben Ryé — “son of the wind”.

Etna and Vittoria

On Etna (the Sul Vulcano line) and in Vittoria (Floramundi), another Sicily appears — volcanic and floral.

Dolce&Gabbana and Donnafugata

Two Sicilian stories meet: the Rallo family's wine and Dolce&Gabbana's design, inspired by Sicilian carts, majolica and the island's colours. The collaboration produced wines such as Rosa, Isolano, Tancredi, Cuordilava and Bollicina Gold — each with its own label and origin.

The bottles are works of art, but the essence is in the glass: each carries the character of its terroir. That makes them a remarkable gift — for those who value both beauty and wine.