GREAT ITALIAN WINES TASTING
Nero d'Avola Grapes: Blended
Donnafugata
Contessa Entellina (Palermo)
	Donnafugata came to the fore in Sicily thanks to the efforts a family boasting strong wine-go wine-growing traditions with a special vocation for a modern approach to agro-foods and strong marketing.Giacomo Rallo, the fourth generation of the most ancient Sicilian family engaged in Marsala wine production, and Gabriella Anca Rallo, herself from a family boasting ancient wine-growing traditions, together with sons José and Antonio, have created a production reality enjoying constant evolution.      The market-objective of the Company from the outset focused on the quality wine segment. The cultural heritage of the Rallo family, the Contessa Entellina vineyards (about 130 hectares owned by the Rallo family) and the opportunities offered by a market enjoying strong development are the vital elements underlying a marketing approach based on production ensuring high image and quality features.      Today Donnafugata and its technical personnel manage at Contessa Entellina about 230 hectares of vineyards, whose growers have signed long-term contracts. Planting density in Donnafugata vineyards varies from 4,500 to 6,000 vines per hectare and average yields range from 40 to 85 quintals/hectare. In 1989, the company moved into the island of Pantelleria, where it manages an agricultural company that today boasts 35 hectares of Zibibbo vineyards, a small yet well-equipped cellar and a clear strategic objective: redevelop and upgrade the two Doc wines of the island - Pantelleria Moscato and Passito.      The processing, storage, bottling and refinement centers, on the other hand, are in Marsala, in the ancient cellars of the Rallo family, dating back to 1851, and today known as Donnafugata.      The company continues to invest in image, quality and technology, orienting its decisions towards ever-greater emphasis on the values of Nature and, in particular, the potential of the absolutely unique and sunny micro-climate of the hillsides of Contessa Entellina and the island of Pantelleria.
The wine: Mille e Una Notte, Contessa Entellina DOC 2000
	Grapes used: Nero d’Avola 90%, other native varieties 10% Production Characteristics: the grapes are harvested in September and vinified in steel, with maceration on the skins for about 12 days at a temperature of 26° to 30° C. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is processed "in barrique" in new French oak for about 24 months prior to refinement in the bottle for at least 12 months. Alcohol: 14% vol.
Presented by José Rallo
	After gaining an honors degree in Economics in 1987 at the University of Pisa, José Rallo subsequently took a three-year course specializing in economy and business at the Sant'Anna Higher University in Pisa, earning a Doctorate in university research. From 1992 to 1994, he attended the three-year professional qualification course of the Italian Sommelier Association and earned the relative diploma. He is currently director of management control, company IT system development and marketing at Tenuta di Donnafugata. Under his guidance, company marketing has embraced promotion of the local territory, valorisation of the context, organization and synergy between companies. José Rallo is a manager who turned a technical production decision--the night harvest-- into a media event capturing widespread attention. The secret of this success lies in understanding that markets are won not through products alone but by communicating different lifestyles and culture. José Rallo received the “Mela d’Oro” Bellisario 2002 Award.
Winery
	Donnafugata via S. Lipari 18, 91025 Marsala (Tp) Tel: 0923.724200 . Fax: 0923.722042 Email: info@connafugata.it