This Calici di Stelle 2021 by Donnafugata at the Vittoria Estate, in the locality of Acate (RG), is an absolute first, as occurs in the theater. The reference is not accidental: on that particular night, that particular workplace, in the vineyards and the wine cellar, will become the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This mixture – experienced several times by the Sicilian company – that links wine to art, music and the most refined conviviality — will be on stage. A night of San Lorenzo that will be remembered for the rarity of the wines offered – Antonio Rallo, the company’s wine-maker, has chosen them from the family reserve – for the refinement of the cuisine and for the proverbial care reserved for the guests. Other emotions will come into play, and at the pace of dancing.
Ballet is back in Calici di Stelle, and in grand style, with an exclusive event that pays homage to Carla Fracci, the great star of La Scala who recently passed away. “We wanted to recall the exemplarity of the artist and her dedication to educating the new generations – explains José Rallo from Donnafugata-. She was with us in 2017 in Marsala, to greet the arrival of Floramundi, Cerasuolo di Vittoria Docg (controlled and guaranteed denomination of origin), giving life to a memorable and passionate combination. A life for art, which we like to remember, because it embraces everyone and inspires us. The beauty that Fracci has given us is the one from which Italy must start up again, with confidence, commitment and aiming for excellence”.
José Rallo will talk with Elena De Laurentiis, dancer, choreographer and director of studies at the “Antonio Locatelli” Dance High School in Bergamo, of which Carla Fracci was the artistic director in recent years, and where she went weekly to supervise the lessons of the young dancers. Together, they will retrace this educational mission of the artist, and will announce the performances taken from the repertoire that made Fracci famous all over the world.
The performance, directed by Elisa Ilàri, will be opened by the prima ballerina of the Opera of Roma, Rebecca Bianchi with Michele Satriano who will perform the entry of the first act of Giselle, a romantic ballet set during the grape harvest, which, in itself, sums up all the technical and expressive elements of classical ballet. It will then be the turn of Diego Mulone and Martina Pasinotti of the Teatro Massimo of Palermo, engaged in performing two famous adages taken from Don Quixote and the Corsair. This will be followed by Elisabetta Di Chiara, also from the Teatro Massimo, who will stage a variation of Odette from Swan Lake. Rebecca Bianchi and Michele Satriano will close the performance with the famous pas de deux from Giselle.
A night of San Lorenzo that brings numerous stars as a gift, in a territory where Donnafugata has put down solid roots. “We decided to organize the event for the first time at our Estate in Acate – declares Antonio Rallo – to make it known to enthusiasts. Here we have 36 hectares of vineyards, planted with Frappato and Nero D’Avola, and a winery of the latest generation that has recently opened to wine tourism. Calici di Stelle will be an opportunity to toast a promising harvest and gaze towards the future with confidence”.
“Donnafugata has been taking part in the summer appointment of the Wine Tourism Movement for over 20 years – continues Josè Rallo -. This year we are happy to host the winelovers in the land of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the only DOCG on the island. A prestigious wine-growing area, with a great cultural heritage, that of the Baroque, recognized by Unesco and a destination for quality food and wine tourism”.
An exclusive event with limited places available, in compliance with the anti-covid legislation. An open-air party, which celebrates the harvest period, and which will begin with a guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellar. It will then be the time for the food and wine tasting, with the refined cuisine of Villa San Bartolo, expression of the raw materials of the territory. In combination with the dishes expertly studied by chef Marco Failla, a special selection of Donnafugata wines, including some historical vintages, witnesses of extraordinary longevity. To start with, the Brut Classic Method will be served, anticipating the Vigna di Gabri cru and a great vintage of Chiarandà, a long-lived Chardonnay of extraordinary richness.
The first of the reds will be the host, Floramundi Cerasuolo di Vittoria, followed by the Etna Rosso Doc Contrada Marchesa cru and a special vintage of Mille e una Notte, the company’s iconic wine, born from the dream of the founders Giacomo and Gabriella Rallo. Finally, an old vintage of Passito di Pantelleria, the award-winning Ben Ryé which, since the first edition of Calici di Stelle, has never failed to end the evening on a sweet note and make a date for the following year.
. The 2021 edition – limited to only 100 guests – will be the occasion for an intimate and elegant experience, under the banner of beauty, the culture of wine and art, at home at Donnafugata.
Estate of Vittoria, Acate area (RG) – GPS Coordinates: N 37.056042, E 14.542393
Ticket for visit and food and wine tasting: € 125 per person.
The ticket can only be purchased in advance, subject to availability, on the web site visit.donnafugata.it
Program:
7:30pm – 8:15pm accreditation and reception of visitors, guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellar;
8:15pm-8:30pm seating at the tables for the food and wine tasting
8:30pm food and wine tasting (part 1)
10:30pm dance performance
11:00pm Elena De Laurentiis talks about Carla Fracci
11:15pm food and wine tasting (part 2)
12:00am end of the evening’s events
The details of the program and the terms and conditions of the event are available on the website visit.donnafugata.it
Contacts: Tel: +39 0923 724245; [email protected]