Showing all 10 results
Occhipinti
In Vittoria, in the heart of Sicily, Arianna Occhipinti runs a winery of exceptional authenticity. As one of the most influential voices in the natural wine movement, she has brought the historic Frappato grape variety to new heights. Her wines, first and foremost the iconic SP68 and the differentiated Vini di Contrada, reflect the subtle nuances of the various terroirs. With meticulous research, she has identified five historic contrade whose different soils of sea sand and limestone manifest themselves in characterful interpretations of Frappato. Occhipinti stands for a scientifically sound, yet natural approach that characterises the wine world far beyond Sicily. Portrait of the winemaker
More about Occhipinti
The history of the Occhipinti winery is closely interwoven with the renaissance of Sicilian viticulture. What began as the bold vision of a young oenologist has developed into a flagship project that is rethinking the world of wine. After her studies in Milan, Arianna Occhipinti returned to her native Vittoria, equipped with scientific expertise and the unconditional will to preserve the authenticity of her region.
The revival of the frappato
Archival research reveals a documented connection between Vittoria and Frappatowhich dates back to 1812. These historical roots inspired Occhipinti to take an in-depth look at the grape variety. Frappato proved to be the ideal medium for translating the complexity of the local terroir. Its natural elegance and transparency make it the perfect interpreter of the subtle soil differences in the various contrade.
Terroir as a science
Meticulous mapping of the vineyards led to the identification of five distinctive contrade, two of which are already mentioned in 19th century documents. Each contrada is characterised by a specific ratio of sea sand and limestone. This geological diversity is reflected in the wines: Pettineo, with its sandy character, produces silky tannins, while Fossa di Lupo, with a higher proportion of limestone, stands for a more distinctive structure and striking acidity. Bombolieri, with the highest limestone content, produces wines of captivating finesse.
Vinification as an art
The cellar work is based on a deep understanding of natural processes. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and the maceration times are determined individually for each batch. The emblematic SP68, named after the provincial road that runs through Vittoria, epitomises this minimalist approach in its purest form. The Siccagno from Nero d'Avola demonstrates how precise cellar work can balance the power of this grape variety.
Beyond the wine
The portfolio is completed by the remarkable Pantarei olive oil, which continues the agronomic tradition of the region. The Vini di Contrada series with its three single-varietal Frappato wines offers a unique opportunity to study the nuances of the terroir. They show different facets of the grape variety: from silky elegance to structured complexity and mineral finesse. These wines are not only a pleasure to drink, but also a didactic tool for understanding the differences in the soil.