Passito di Pantelleria DOC 'Ben Rye' 2021 (375 ml. boxed) - Donnafugata

Pantelleria

On Pantelleria the Donnfugata winery and vineyards blend harmoniously into the landscape and the unique agricoltural setting of the island of volcanic origin, lying between Sicily and Africa, it is a rare example of heroic viticulture. The landscape reflects the hard labor required to create terraced plots and dry-stone walls in order to cultivate vineyard shaped by the wind. Donnafugata’s vineyards, where Zibibbo grapes are cultivated, are located in 12 districts (contrade) of the island differnt in soil, altitude, exposure and age of the plants (some vines are more than 100 years old). Khamma winery, example of sustainable architecture, has a technologically advanced equippement. The Zibibbo harvested in the different districts are processed separately to respect and enhance the plurality of viticoltural contexts.

Marsala

The old family cellars are the strategic base of the company, site of refinement and bottling for Donnafugata wines. The Marsala cellars, built in 1851, are a living example of industrial archaeology. The layout of the ‘baglio’, a typically Mediterranean warehouse, has been retained and features a spacious courtyard adorned with citrus and olive trees, as well as trussed wooden ceilings, the work of master carpenters of bygone times. Today, it houses a dynamic, productive enterprise which strives for excellence. This is where the products of Contessa Entellina and Pantelleria converge for refinement  (in steel, cement and oak) and  bottling. These processes are conducted with simple technologies that respect the intrinsic qualities of the musts and wines. Since temperature control is so important to every production stage, the cellars have air-conditioned, insulated rooms for maximum energy savings. Also in line with the winery’s environmental policies, the underground barrique room is carved from tuff (porous volcanic rock).

Vittoria

In south-eastern Sicily, Donnafugata chooses a territory with a high vocation to produce soft red wines with a floral soul, unusual wines capable of innovating the way of drinking red wine. It is the Vittoria area, between the Ibleo plateau and the sea, land of a historic and prestigious appellation that includes the first and only DOCG in Sicily: the Cerasuolo di Vittoria.

Donnafugata cultivates its vineyards in the Acate area. Overall, the company can count on 36 hectares, divided into 3 districts: Biddine Soprana, Biddine Sottana and Isola Cavaliere. The grapes grown are Nero d'Avola and Frappato. Nero d'Avola, king of Sicilian red berried vines, is the most widespread in Sicily, thanks to its strong ability to interact with the environment. In the Vittoria area, it expresses itself with a medium structure and particularly fine tannins. Frappato is one of the oldest Sicilian varieties, which loves the typical climate of the Vittoria Doc territories. A wine that stands out for its fragrance and floral notes. Extremely pleasant on the palate and delicately tannic.

Etna

In eastern Sicily, where Etna is located: the highest active volcano in Europe (over 3,300 m), Donnafugata has chosen the north side to produce mountain, volcanic and Mediterranean wines.

In this estate, between 730 m and 750 m asl, Donnafugata can count on about 21 hectares of vineyards, all in the Doc area, divided into 6 districts: Montelaguardia, Statella, Camporè and Calderara in the municipality of Randazzo, Marchesa and Verzella in the municipality of Castiglione of Sicily. The cultivated varieties are the autochthonous representative of the territory: Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and in small quantities Nerello Cappuccio.

The viticultural landscape on Etna is characterized by terraces and dry stone walls in lava stone (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The training system is the low espalier or the traditional sapling, also quincunx (dense checkerboard layout with about 7,000 plants per hectare).