Sicily

The largest Mediterranean island, separated from the Italian peninsula by the very narrow Messina strait, Sicily is probably among the richest regions in history, art and cultural heritage, a mosaic of colours and contrasts.

According to legend, it was Dionysus (Bacchus) who brought pleasure to mankind, and wine to Sicily.

In the past, Sicily was famous for its Marsala and cheap bulk wines. Over the last 30 years, however, Sicily’s wine culture has changed dramatically and is now considered as one of the best regions.

The Sicilian has the largest vineyard in all of Italy. It is three times the size of the vineyard in New Zealand, larger than vineyard in South Africa and equivalent to the vineyard in Germany.

Donnafugata

Established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, the winery is now led by José and Antonio.

Donnafugata boasts vineyards in Contessa Entellina, nestled in the heart of western Sicily, as well as on Pantelleria island, situated between Sicily and Africa.

The 2016 harvest marked a milestone for Donnafugata, fulfilling the aspiration to produce wines in eastern Sicily with the distinguished Etna, Cerasuolo, and Frappato di Vittoria appellations.

The name Donnafugata, meaning ‘lady in flight,’ originates from the novel ‘Il Gattopardo’ and alludes to the tale of a queen who sought sanctuary in what are now the company’s vineyards, a narrative that also inspired the company’s logo.

西西里

The largest Mediterranean island, separated from the Italian peninsula by the very narrow Messina strait, Sicily is probably among the richest regions in history, art and cultural heritage, a mosaic of colours and contrasts.

According to legend, it was Dionysus (Bacchus) who brought pleasure to mankind, and wine to Sicily.

In the past, Sicily was famous for its Marsala and cheap bulk wines. Over the last 30 years, however, Sicily’s wine culture has changed dramatically and is now considered as one of the best regions.

The Sicilian has the largest vineyard in all of Italy. It is three times the size of the vineyard in New Zealand, larger than vineyard in South Africa and equivalent to the vineyard in Germany.

Donnafugata

Established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, the winery is now led by José and Antonio.

Donnafugata boasts vineyards in Contessa Entellina, nestled in the heart of western Sicily, as well as on Pantelleria island, situated between Sicily and Africa.

The 2016 harvest marked a milestone for Donnafugata, fulfilling the aspiration to produce wines in eastern Sicily with the distinguished Etna, Cerasuolo, and Frappato di Vittoria appellations.

The name Donnafugata, meaning ‘lady in flight,’ originates from the novel ‘Il Gattopardo’ and alludes to the tale of a queen who sought sanctuary in what are now the company’s vineyards, a narrative that also inspired the company’s logo.

Abruzzo

Abruzzo, situated in central Italy and sharing the same latitude as Rome, extends from the Apennines’ heart to the Adriatic Sea.

Known as “the greenest region in Europe,” nearly half of its area, which is the largest in Europe, is designated as national parks and protected nature reserves.

The region’s wine production focuses on two varieties: the red Montepulciano and the white Trebbiano.

Recently gaining popularity in Europe is the white varietal Pecorino, appreciated for its vibrant freshness and zest.

Umani Ronchi

Umani Ronchi, a wine estate managed by the Bianchi-Bernetti family since 1957.

The winery has been producing Verdicchio, Montepulciano and others that find their finest expression in Marche and Abruzzo.

The estate spans 210 hectares, nestled between the hills and the Adriatic Sea. The vineyards are organically cultivated.

Umani Ronchi gained a first recognition when its Pelago wine was awarded the “Best red wine in the world” by the IWC in 1997.

In 2024, Umani Ronchi has been elected “Best Winery of the Year” by Gambero Rosso.

In Asia, the Jorio wine rose to fame after being featured in the manga “The Drops of God.”

Lombardy

Lombardy is the most populous, richest and most productive region in the country. 16.2% of the national population (10 million people) live there and create 21% of the total GDP.

The region is an important producer of wines but not really well recognized except Franciacorta, the Italy’s most prestigious sparkling wines.

If Italy is known for its spaghettis, Rice is very popular in the region, often found in soups as well as risotti, such as “risotto alla milanese”, with saffron. Butter is used, no olive oil!

The region is famous for its historical figures such as Virgil, Pliny the Elder, Caravaggio, Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Stradivari, Alessandro Volta and popes John XXIII and Paul VI.

Berlucchi

Berlucchi is the history of the classic Italian sparkling wine and Franciacorta.

“What if we make a French-style sparkling wine?” This was the question that young oenologist Franco Ziliani asked Guido Berlucchi at the end of the 1950s.

Guido Berlucchi liked the idea to use his not too stable white wine.

After a few experiments, almost 3,000 bottles arrived in 1961. “We’ll be drinking them for the next 20 years!” Fortunately, he was wrong.

Today, Guido Berlucchi means 4 million Franciacorta bottles every year. More than 12 million bottles rest in the cellar.

Berlucchi has received many awards like “Winery of the Year” by Gambero Rosso in 2022.

西西里

The largest Mediterranean island, separated from the Italian peninsula by the very narrow Messina strait, Sicily is probably among the richest regions in history, art and cultural heritage, a mosaic of colours and contrasts.
According to legend, it was Dionysus (Bacchus) who brought pleasure to mankind, and wine to Sicily.
In the past, Sicily was famous for its Marsala and cheap bulk wines. Over the last 30 years, however, Sicily’s wine culture has changed dramatically and is now considered as one of the best regions.
The Sicilian has the largest vineyard in all of Italy. It is three times the size of the vineyard in New Zealand, larger than vineyard in South Africa and equivalent to the vineyard in Germany.

Donnafugata

Established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo, the winery is now led by José and Antonio.

Donnafugata boasts vineyards in Contessa Entellina, nestled in the heart of western Sicily, as well as on Pantelleria island, situated between Sicily and Africa.

The 2016 harvest marked a milestone for Donnafugata, fulfilling the aspiration to produce wines in eastern Sicily with the distinguished Etna, Cerasuolo, and Frappato di Vittoria appellations.

The name Donnafugata, meaning ‘lady in flight,’ originates from the novel ‘Il Gattopardo’ and alludes to the tale of a queen who sought sanctuary in what are now the company’s vineyards, a narrative that also inspired the company’s logo.

Piedmont

Located, as its name suggests, at the foot of the Alps bordering France and Switzerland, Piedmont is the second largest of Italy’s 20 regions, after Sicily.
Recognized for its industry like Fiat in Turin, Piedmont is also one of the greatest regions in the world in terms of cuisine (don’t forget the white truffles from Alba!) and wine!
With 42 DOC and 17 DOCG, Piedmont has more wine appellations than any other Italian region. Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera but also Moscato or Dolcetto are demanded all over the world.

Parusso

The Parusso family story is one of dedication, passion, and a constant desire to improve through experimentation. Their dedication to their craft drives them to rediscover knowledge, traditions, and the ancient vineyard arts of their ancestors.
The story started in 1901 when Gaspare Parusso purchased the Mariondino plot.
Nowadays, Armando Parusso is run by Marco Parusso and his sister Tiziana. The estate has 30 hectares of vineyards.
Some 120,000 bottles of Barolo, primarily, are produced annually. Though relatively small, this estate has been earning high compliments from wine journals, including the influential Italian Gambero Rosso, which calls it an estate “which boasts some of the best terroirs in the entire zone.”