This one not even Bacchus might imagine! The god of wine in Roman mythology, watches with pride probably one of the most unusual partnerships of recent times: the union between one of the most respected fashion brands in the world, Dolce & Gabbana, and the winery, equally important in the region of Sicily , Italy, to Donnafugata. Two Italian giants in their segments reveal the potential of an unprecedented partnership between such disparate universes.
The fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana, founded in 1985 by Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, is known worldwide for the use of fine fabrics, the richness of details and vibrant colors in the making of its collections. Donnafugata, a family winery run by the Rallo family since 1851, has its grapes grown in inhospitable regions with volcanoes, including the island where Mount Etna is located, one of the most active in the world.
Thus, four labels were born, one white, one rosé and two reds, now available in Brazil. It is possible to feel the isolation of Etna in Isolano Etna Bianco 2019, produced with Carricante grapes, with a straw yellow color with golden reflections. It has medium body, good acidity and lots of minerality. Carrier of an aroma of citric fruits, such as lemon and green apple, white fruits, such as pears, peaches and melons, floral and herbaceous notes, in addition to mineral and honey touches. With a refreshing followingtaste, it is a wine that spent 10 months in barrels and 12 months in bottles. Donnafugata Dolce & Gabbana Rosa Rosato Sicilia DOC 2020, the rosé option, brings a blend of Sicilian grapes, Nerello Mascalese and Nocera. With a medium intensity salmon color, it is a light wine, with excellent freshness and a delicate finish reminiscent of flowers, such as jasmine, as well as red fruits and peaches, which results in a fruity aroma. Pairs well with fish and seafood and light starters such as salads, canapés, cheeses, among others.
The reds, in turn, bring intense ruby tones and pay homage, through their labels, to Sicilian culture and tradition. In the case of Donnafugata Dolce & Gabbana Tancredi IGT 2017, its label recalls one of the protagonists of the Italian work Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) in which it synthesizes tradition and modernity, in this way: golden tones, blue and sinuous lines celebrate the aristocracy, now in decline , while red, green and geometric and pointed figures make reference to the new values that are emerging in Sicily. Donnafugata Dolce & Gabbana “Cuordilava” Etna Rosso DOC 2017, as the name suggests, is inspired by the colors of the magma of the Etna volcano, and the graphics on the label refer to traditional Sicilian paintings.
It is not new that we observe this type of collaboration. Luxury brands have become more and more comprehensive, broadening their horizons and reinforcing their own culture. “It’s the encounter of common codes, we want to value our territory, our art and our culture”, says Alfonso Dolce, in an interview for Veja magazine.
Wine in Brazilian lands
In the southern region of Brazil, opened in 2016, Thera winery is part of this international trend. Its terroir is located in the municipality of Bom Retiro, Santa Catarina.
Conceived by João Paulo, son of Manoel Dilor de Freitas and Therezinha Borges de Freitas, the winery was named following his mother, with the nickname given by his father. The Fazenda Bom Retiro and Vinícola Thera Project were born in 2013, when João Paulo took over the 800-hectare property, which has an area of approximately 10 hectares of vineyards dedicated to wine production.
Surrounded by rich native fauna and flora, the winery has a peculiar architecture, award-winning wines, good cuisine and luxury hospitality. This was the scenario chosen to compose Conexões Santa Catarina, an experience provided by Connectarch, a relationship program for the brands Eliane and Decortiles.
The “concept design” houses not only the winery, but a variety of environments, some of them designed for proportional family moments, others, for holding events, all of them with the beautiful landscapes of the Santa Catarina mountains as a backdrop. Signed by Studio Archea, by Marco Casamonti – who has in his curriculum one of the most visited wineries in the world, Antinori, in Tuscany – the project is sustainable. It is possible to stay at the Farm and enjoy a ’boutique’ inn with 18 cozy units and also enjoy an exquisite cuisine, washed down with good wines, of course, including the award-winning Thera Sauvignon Blanc, featured in Decanter magazine in October 2020 as an example of quality among South American whites.
