Deep ruby color; cherry, plum, strawberry, blackberry, chocolate, spice, lavender, flowers on the nose and palate.
Dry; refined tannins, balancing acidity. Medium body. Blend of nero d’avola and frappato. Nero d’avola is the primary red grape of Sicily. Frappato is the primary blending grape, particularly in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG—where this wine is made. 13% ABV
Giacomo Rallo and his wife Gabriella founded Donnafugata in 1983. They are the fourth generation of a wine making family with more than 170 years of experience. Today, their children José and Antonio operate the company. They emphasize sustainable practices and environmental responsibility in their vineyards and production processes. Their enterprise includes several production sites—Vittoria DOC (this effort), their newest winery, Contessa Entellina that works with 19 different grape varieties, Pantelleria that works with zibibbo grapes using the traditional alberello pantesco method, and Mount Etna featuring carricante and nerello mascalese grapes.
Donnafugata is a leading force in quality, sustainability, and preservation of Sicilian heritage. Their vineyard on Pantelleria is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site. In 2021, Donnafugata joined SOStain, a sustainability program for Sicilian viticulture aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda. Their program include use of solar energy, restricted use of pesticides and herbicides, and water conservation techniques like the “Conca” method on the island of Paterlleria. Production includes hand-harvesting on terraced volcanic slopes and cultivation on ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines.
Donnafugata wines are graced with distinctive artistic labels created by Stefano Vitale and inspired by Gabriella Rallo. The labels reflect the personality of each wine and evoke Sicily’s colors and landscapes. The winery collaborates with Dolce & Gabbana to create their unique labels. Their collaboration also creates custom boxes to add a premium touch to the presentation.
Donnafugata Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicilia DOCG 2021 is fresh, smooth, juicy, fun drinker. Blend of predominantly nero d’avola with an assist from frappato. Harmoniously balanced effort from the southeastern part of Sicily from a major Sicilian maker. Pair with grilled or roasted meats, pulled pork, pork tenderloin, grilled lamb. Works with seafood—red tuna steaks, roasted or bakes amberjack, grilled swordfish. What grows together goes together—pasta alla Norma (fried eggplant, tomato sauce, salted ricotta cheese), arancini (crispy Sicilian rice balls), caponata (eggplant-based appetizer). Pizza, mushroom risotto. Cheese—Sicilian cheese: pecorino Siciliano (semi-hard sheep’s milk), ragusano DOP, caciocavallo ragusano. Parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino, scamorza. $23-30
