The 2021 growing season recorded 615 mm of rainfall, slightly less than the 645 mm average* for this area. Rainfall was concentrated in the winter, while the spring was dry; during this season, the delicate flowering and fruit set phases proceeded regularly. The entire vegetative production cycle was accompanied by careful work in the vineyard and therefore concluded regularly. The quantity of grapes produced was in line with the average for this area. The quality was fully in line with the company’s targets.

*Rainfall data is measured by SIAS, Servizio Informativo Agrometeorologico Siciliano, and based on precipitation recorded from 1 October to 30 September of the following year; the average is calculated on data going back to the 2003 harvest.

Nero d’Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested between the middle of August and mid-September. Tannat was harvested on 1 and 2 September.

On arriving at the winery, the bunches were further sorted on the vibrating table and then selected using a next-generation destemmer which removes green and overripe grapes. Fermentation in steel with maceration on the skins at a controlled temperature. Ageing for 14 months in oak and at least 24 months in the bottle before release.

PRODUCTION AREA: Southwestern Sicily, on the Estate of the Municipality of Contessa Entellina and in other particularly suitable areas.
SOILS & CLIMATES: Prevalence of soils with altitude of 200 to 400 metres a.s.l., hilly orography and clay loam soils. Mild winters, dry and breezy summers with strong temperature variations between night and day.
VINEYARD: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning, and other traditional training methods suitable for producing quality grapes.

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat.
Alcohol: 13.50% vol.
Total acidity: 5.2 g/l.
pH: 3.67

At Contessa Entellina in the heart of western Sicily, the 2020 vintage was less precipitous, with 437 mm of rain compared to the average* of 647 mm. Much of the precipitation was in winter and spring, while the summer was quite dry. The careful management of agronomic practices, from pruning to thinning through the choice of different harvesting times, ensured that the grapes were healthy and well-ripened.

*The precipitation data are collected by SIAS, Sicilian Agrometeorological Service; the rainfall recorded from October 1st to September 30th of the following year is taken into account; the average is calculated starting from the 2003 harvest.

Manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest of the grapes destined for Tancredi took place in the first ten days of September.

Fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28-30° C. Aging for 14 months in oak and at least 22 months in bottle before release.

PRODUCTION AREA: South-western Sicily, Contessa Entellina Estate and nearby areas.
SOILS & CLIMATES: Altitude from 200 to 400 m a.s.l. (650-1,300 ft); hilly orography; clay loam soils with a sub-alkaline reaction (pH 7.5 to 7.9) rich in nutritive elements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc) and total limestone from 20 to 35%. Mild winters with little rainfall. Warm, dry, ventilated summers. Substantial differences between day and night-time temperatures.
VINEYARD:VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning g, leaving 6 to 8 buds per plant. Planting density of 4,500 to 6,000 plants per hectare (1,800-2,400 an acre) and yields of about 4-5 tons per hectare (1.6-2 tons an acre).

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat and other grapes.
Alcohol: 13.60% vol.
Total acidity: 5.2 g/l.
pH: 3.67

In the Contessa Entellina estate, in the heart of western Sicily, in 2019 546 mm of rainfall were recorded, compared to the average of 660 mm of this territory. Most of the rainfall was in winter and spring; the summer was quite dry. The integrated management of agronomic practices, from pruning to thinning, to the choice of different harvesting moments, inspired by eco-sustainable viticulture ensured the production of healthy and well-ripened grapes. The harvest began during the second and the third ten days of September.

Fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28-30° C. Aging for 14 months in oak and at least 2 years in bottle before release.

Denomination: Terre Siciliane IGT Rosso
Production area: Donnafugata Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories, in the heart of south-western Sicily; the vineyards are on the hills, on mainly clayey soils.

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat
Alcohol: 13.91% vol.
Total acidity: 5.4 g/l.
pH: 3.65

The vintage and 2018 harvest: in Contessa Entellina after two slightly rainier years, in 2018 743 mm of rainfall were recorded, a figure that is above the average of 667 mm of this territory. Most of the rainfall was distributed in spring; only in some plots there have been precipitations in the summer. The integrated management of agronomic practices, from pruning to thinning to the choice of different harvesting moments, inspired by an eco-sustainable viticulture, has allowed us to have healthy and well-ripened grapes. The harvest of the grapes destined for Tancredi began with Nero d’Avola and Tannat during the first 10 days of September followed by Cabernet Sauvignon in the mid-September.

Vinification and aging: fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28 °-30° C. Aging for 12 months in oak and at least 2 years in bottle before release.
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat and other varieties.
Aging potential: to be enjoyed now; if well preserved, its longevity goes beyond 20 years.

Production area: Donnafugata Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories, in the heart of south-western Sicily; the vineyards are on the hills, on mainly clayey soils.

Analysis data: alcohol 14.20 % vol., total acidity: 6.2 g/l., pH: 3.60.
Aging potential: to be enjoyed now; if well preserved, its longevity goes beyond 20 years.

The vintage and 2017 harvest: the 2017 vintage was less rainier than average in this area. Temperatures registered between July and August were higher than seasonal average and this resulted in the ripening of all the varieties cultivated in the area 1-2 weeks earlier than usual. In this period of the summer, good temperature ranges between day and night have given healthy grapes with an excellent aromatic and phenolic maturation. The harvest of the grapes destined for Tancredi began with Nero d’Avola during the last decade of August followed by Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon in the first decade of September.

Vinification and aging: ffermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for about 14 days at a temperature of 28°-30° C. Aging for 12 months in oak and at least 3 years in bottle before release (1 November 2021).
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d’Avola, Tannat and other varieties.
Aging potential: to be enjoyed immediately or for collection; if well preserved, its longevity goes beyond 20 years.

Production area: Donnafugata Contessa Entellina estate and neighboring territories, in the heart of south-western Sicily; the vineyards are on the hills, on mainly clayey soils.

Alcohol: 14.20 %
Total Acidity: 6.2 g/l
pH: 3.60