Questo vino
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand in several passes, with Merlot picked at the end of August and Cabernet Sauvignon in the second half of September. Fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks, followed by 11–13 days of maceration on the skins at 28 °C.
Ageing
The wine matures for 12 months in barriques and a further 24 months in bottle.
Tasting profile
Smooth, with an international style.
Serving and pairing
When using large, wide glasses, open the bottle shortly before serving. With other glassware, allow it to breathe for a couple of hours.
Label / history
The first vintage was released in 1997. The label quotes Ludovico Ariosto’s chivalric poem Orlando Furioso: “...ladies and knights, arms and love...”. Its illustration depicts Angelica on horseback as Donnafugata’s traditional “woman in flight”.
The name Donnafugata means “woman in flight” in Italian. According to legend, Queen Maria Carolina fled Naples and took refuge in a town in the Santa Margherita Belice valley. The story inspired the woman with windblown hair that appears on many Donnafugata labels.
