Sino Vantage takes on Donnafugata

Hong Kong’ importer and distributor, Sino Vintage has announced it has taken on the exclusive distribution rights to Sicilian producer, Donnafugata for Hong Kong and Macau, effective 1 October.

The term ‘Donna Fugata’ translates as ‘fleeing woman” and is a reference to the Bourbon King Ferdinand IV´s Hapsburg wife Queen Maria Carolina who in the early 1800s had to flee their court at Naples (which was under Spanish rule at the time) when Napoleon’s troops arrived.

The couple fled for Sicily to the country estates of a local prince, and the whole story is immortalized in the famous Sicilian novel Il Gattopardo by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. This story was the inspiration for the name of the brand and also for the image of on its wine labels of the woman with flowing hair.

Donnafugata started in the Rallo family’s historic cellars in Marsala in 1983 and at its Contessa Entellina vineyards in the heart of western Sicily. In 1989, Donnafugata arrived on the island of Pantelleria, commencing its production of naturally sweet wines.

Donnafugata was hitherto represented by ASC Fine Wines for Hong Kong and Macau and the partnership with Sino Vantage will commence on 1 October.  The contract between Donnafugata and ASC for the China Mainland will continue.

Sino Vantage founder, Herve Leroux said: “Donnafugata is really one of the top brands we can work with for Hong Kong and Macau. We are now we are one of the leading companies in Hong Kong covering most of the Italian premium wine-producing regions.”

In July of this year, Sino Vantage announced it that it had taken on one of Barbaresco’s oldest producers, Marchesi di Grésy and will represent them exclusively throughout Hong Kong and South Korea.