Tenuta Rapitalà
French tradition, Sicilian heart
Between Camporeale and Alcamo, where the vineyards line the rolling hills, lies Tenuta Rapitalà. Here, nature is not just a backdrop, but a silent partner in the creation of wines that express the beauty and strength of this land. On 176 hectares of vineyards, the Sicilian sun meets French elegance, creating a perfect balance.
Our story
It all began in a wounded land - full of scars, but willing to believe in a dream
who we are
From the beginnings to today
It is 1968, Count Hugues Bernard de la Gatinais, a French naval officer born in Saint-Malo, and his wife, Gigi Guarrasi from Palermo, walk among the ruins of the earthquake in the Belice Valley. Where others see rubble, they imagine a new beginning. It is not just a reconstruction, it is a dream that takes shape: to bring a new vision of viticulture to Sicily, where local tradition merges with French savoir-faire. They plant the first vines with the awareness that the land is not owned, that nature guides and man listens. Alongside the native vines, there is room for the great international varieties, which here express their character in an unprecedented way. Thus Tenuta Rapitalà was born, and since then every wine has been a stage in the dream that began over fifty years ago and is carried on today by winemaker Silvio Centonze, with the same dedication and passion.
Born in 1973, he completed his studies in oenology and viticulture between Marsala, his home town, and Padua. Since 1999, he has been Winemaking Coordinator at Tenuta Rapitalà. Thanks to his direct collaboration with the winery's founder, he has fully understood its philosophy, which he transmits daily in the style of Rapitalà wines, wines that retain the flavours and aromas of the land of Sicily, combined with the elegance of French savoir-faire.
The beginning
Count Bernard de la Gatinais and his wife Gigi Guarrasi rebuild the estate devastated by the Belice earthquake, laying the foundations of fresh approach to Sicilian viticulture.
Vision
The first single varietal Chardonnay ever grown in Sicily, Conte Hugues, is created. This is the beginning of the wine revolution of Tenuta Rapitalà.
Evolution
Cabernet Sauvignon meets Nero d'Avola: the result is Hugonis, the winery's Bordeaux blend, a wine that expresses the perfect union between two worlds.
New frontiers
Cielo d'Alcamo, a late harvest that pays homage to the great French tradition of Sauternes Rapitalà is not just a name, it's a legacy. Derived from the Arabic Rabat-Allah (‘Allah's garden')’, the name evokes the fertility of these lands, with hills that have always been well-suited to viticulture.A mosaic of vineyards, where each row is the result of a deep bond between man and nature, translated into a wine culture that embraces the landscape and respects it.
A new chapter
Gaëlle, a single-varietal Syrah that heralds the future of the Gioiello di Eleganza Collection, the expression of a sophisticated, pioneering vision.
Winemaking philosophy
Walking among the vineyards at Tenuta Rapitalà, the breeze rustles through the plants, the earth breathes, and the landscape tells a story of balance and vision.
Here, viticulture is about listening to nature and seeking its most authentic expression. The vigour of the Mediterranean sea is intertwined with French finesse, creating wines that tell the story of a generous land, expert hands, and a dream that continues to evolve. Every soil, every altitude, every microclimate suggests its own expression, and we showcase it with care and respect. Our philosophy remains faithful to this idea and embraces sustainability as a choice: it is the way in which we highlight the terroir and give back to the earth.
Who we are
A mosaic of vineyards, where each row is the result of a deep bond between man and nature.
Who we are
A mosaic of vineyards, where each row is the result of a deep bond between man and nature.
Rapitalà is not just a name, it's a legacy. Derived from the Arabic Rabat-Allah (‘Allah's garden')’, the name evokes the fertility of these lands, with hills that have always been well-suited to viticulture. A mosaic of vineyards, where each row is the result of a deep bond between man and nature, translated into a wine culture that embraces the landscape and respects it.Today, Tenuta Rapitalà is one of the most recognised names in the Sicilian viticultural landscape, a place where the past and the future meet in a story that continues to evolve with every harvest.