In 1989 we fell in love with the extreme nature of Pantelleria, a volcanic island between Sicily and Africa. Since then, we have started an innovative project of quality and heroic viticulture.
At Pantelleria the vines are cultivated on very low “Pantelleria” alberellos, on small terraces, bordered by drystone walls made with lava stones (listed as Unesco World Heritage Status). A context that requires a very high amount of manpower, about three times the average requirement of a quality-oriented vineyard, without counting the maintenance of about 40 km of drystone walls.
Hectares
Districts
Recovered drystone walls
Hectares of olive groves
Altitudes from 20 to 400 m. a.s.l., complex orography, typically volcanic with land cultivated mainly on terraces. Sandy soils of volcanic origin with sub-acid or neutral reaction (pH from 6.5 to 7); deep and loose soil, well endowed with minerals.
The vines are cultivated manually inside hollows on low Pantelleria alberellos, registered in the Unesco World Heritage list. Plant density from 2500 to 3600 plants per hectare with yields ranging from 40-60 quintals per hectare; 1.6 – 2 kg per plant.
Mild winters with little rain (460 mm per year). Breezy summers favor the quality of the grapes on the plant and on the trellises while drying, acting as a “natural fungicide”.
The extreme nature of Pantelleria requires complex agronomic choices: the vines are grown in a system of very low alberellos on terraces bordered by drystone walls made of lava stones. Everything is done by hand, from the grape harvest to the detaching of the raisins from the bunches of grapes, on up to the maintenance of the drystone walls. We dedicate ourselves to a context of heroic viticulture through unceasing care and commitment.
On Pantelleria we cultivate the vines inside “hollows” and with a pruning system that allows the plant to develop horizontally, almost creeping along the ground, in order to resist the wind. Pruning is short, the harvest is manually-done as is the selection of the bunches. Pantelleria alberello as a “highly sustainable and creative agricultural practice” has been recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Our passito of Pantelleria Ben Ryé, the son of the wind, is the symbol of the island’s heroic viticulture. The result of a production process based on the natural drying of fresh grapes on trellises, on the manual detaching of the raisins from the bunches and on tailor-made vinification that lasts over a month, until our iconic wine reaches its great balance.
A deep love for one’s land has always been the soul of Donnafugata. A desire to produce quality wines that respect the environment: “From the vineyard to the bottle, there is no quality without sustainability”.
We have recovered, and we maintain every year, over 40 km of drystone walls made of lava stones (Unesco World Heritage Status), which help prevent soil erosion, protecting the landscape and biodiversity.
UN 2030 Agenda
Goal 15- Life on earth
In 1999 we restored a Zibibbo vineyard with several ungrafted plants over 100 years old: unique vines, an example of agricultural resilience, capable of withstanding the island’s conditions of drought and of giving Ben Ryé an exceptional aromatic charge.
UN 2030 Agenda
Goal 2- Zero hunger
Each district differs in exposure and altitude ranging from 20 meters above sea level to 400 meters, a multiplicity of micro-terroirs that gives unique characteristics to the grapes.
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.3)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:60 m a.s.l.
Exposition:North/Northeast
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.7)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:175 m a.s.l.
Exposition:Northwest
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.3)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:100 m a.s.l.
Exposition:Northwest
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.3)
Total limestone 13%
Altitude:180 m a.s.l.
Exposition:North
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.3)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:130-200 m a.s.l.
Exposition:Northeast
Soil:rocky and sandy of volcanic origin (pH 7)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:60-100 m a.s.l.
Exposition:Northeast
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.3)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:200-330 m a.s.l.
Exposition:East
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.3)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:130 a.s.l.
Exposition:East
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 5.9)
Total limestone 13%
Altitude:160 m a.s.l.
Exposition:flat
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6)
Total limestone 8%
Altitude:290 m a.s.l.
Exposition:East
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 5.9)
Total limestone 13%
Altitude:180 m a.s.l.
Exposition:East
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6)
Total limestone 8%
Altitude:340 m a.s.l.
Exposition:East
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.9)
Total limestone 8%h
Altitude:30-60 m a.s.l.
Exposition:South
Soil:sandy of volcanic origin (pH 6.6)
Total limestone 14%
Altitude:210 m a.s.l.
Exposition:Northwest
Aromatic variety native to Northern Africa, subsequently spread throughout the Mediterranean basin. The name Zibibbo recalls the Arabic “Zabīb” which means “dried grapes”. In the hot, dry and windy climate of this island of volcanic origin, Zibibbo, grown as an alberello, finds conditions that are ideal for accumulating a wealth of sugars and developing a set of fragrances that have no equal. It is used to produce aromatic dry wines and sweet wines of great balance, such as the Passito of Pantelleria.
Kabir 2021, bright straw yellow with golden reflections, is characterized by a rich and fragrant bouquet with scents of tropical fruit (passion fruit) combined with flowery notes of orange blossom and delicate savory nuances. The nose is perfectly reflected on...
On the terraces, we cultivate 5 hectares of one hundred-year-old olive trees of the Biancolilla cultivar; our olive groves are pruned horizontally and to a height of just over 1 meter, the yield is very low and they are harvested manually. A tailor-made process from which our delicate Biancolilla extra virgin olive oil is born.
Guided tours, professional tastings, and refined combinations with the specialties of Pantelleria cuisine await you. Hospitality that you can enjoy during the summer months.
