Antonio, José and Zibibbo grapes (Photo by: A.Pakula);
Naturally dried Zibibbo

Wine and territory: the history of the name Ben Ryé Ben Ryé from the Arab "Son of the Wind", owes its name to the wind that blows on Pantelleria all year round.
It caresses the bunches of Zibibbo (Moscato d'Alessandria) on the vine and those laid out to dry, it carries the loveliest scents of the grape harvest and anticipates the unique qualities of Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria.

An extraordinary fruity wine: extremely rich in aroma, sweet and fresh to the taste, as captivating as the carnival woman. Brazilian music, from Tom Jobim's bossa-nova to Caetano Veloso's samba, so rich in harmonic nuances is the "natural" wine-music match for Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria.

Ben Ryé, Passito di Pantelleria (Photo by:A.Pakula)

The character of Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria is a naturally sweet wine made from Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) grapes grown in 11 different parts. of the island. In some vineyards the vines - rare examples of biodiversity - are more than 100 years old and give added value in terms of complexity and elegance.

The island of Pantelleria is distinctive for its arid climate and the volcanic nature of its soils. Characteristics that give Ben Ryé olfactory potency, freshness and aromatic persistence. To the nose it is an explosion of scents: fresh notes of apicot, peach and candied orange zest, dried figs and honey.

On the palate it is voluminous [big-bodied], fresh and mineral. Sipping Ben Ryè Passito di Pantelleria you discover a perfect fusion of sweetness, sapidity and mellowness. Along with desserts made with ricotta, it pairs well with fois gras, herbed cheeses or chocolate. It is extraordinary even enjoyed alone, as a meditation wine.

First label version;
Color author sketch;
Monochrome author sketch

The story behind the Ben Ryé label It was hard to discard the first label for Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria. Classic in style, it had a gold-rimmed illustration of a Pantellerian dammuso. A "dressing" that had accompanied the success of this wine, so ancient and and yet so modern. Inauguration of the Khamma winery saw creation of a new illustration. The twentieth grape harvest was an occasion to fete Ben Ryé with a new artistic label.

The image depicts the love, care and labor involved in heroic viticulture. In the center is the Khamma winery where Ben Ryé is produced, and in the background are symbols of the island: the terraced vineyards, drywalls, dammusi, the sea, the elephant arch and spire of rock.
A gentle, enveloping portrait revealing the essence of Pantelleria.

An image based on simple renderings and the colors proper to the island: the black of lava, the green of the Mediterranean maquis, the gold of the grapes. A label that communicates Donnafugata's desire to have people serve nature and its conviction that only by respecting nature can you produce a naturally sweet wine like Ben Ryé.