Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco 2023

Founded in 2004 by Arianna Occhipinti, located in Sicily's scenic Vittoria region, the estate quickly made its mark in the natural wine world. Arianna, a passionate winemaker and viticulturist, released her first commercial vintage in 2006. Today, she focuses solely on estate-grown fruit across her 25 certified organic hectares. The vineyard, embracing biodynamic practices, cultivates native Sicilian varietals: 50% Frappato, 35% Nero d'Avola, and 15% Albanello and Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) white varieties. The vine age varies, with some Frappato and Nero d'Avola vines being 10-year-old guyot-trained plants that Arianna planted herself, and others are 60-year-old alberello-trained vines, initially rented and later owned. Occhipinti produces around 10,000 cases of natural wine annually.

Arianna's journey in winemaking began at 16, working in her uncle Giusto Occhipinti's cellar, owner of the renowned COS winery. This experience sparked her passion, leading her to enology school and eventually to establish her vineyard. She started with just one hectare of neglected vines near a family vacation house. Influenced significantly by her uncle, Arianna adopted organic viticulture, hand harvesting, and native-yeast fermentation, practices not typical in Sicily's bulk wine production. Arianna emphasizes the importance of non-irrigation, late harvesting, and avoiding fertilizers for crafting elegant wines. She believes the unique freshness and minerality in her wines derive from the subsoils, distinguishing them from wines produced from younger, chemically-treated vines.

In the last decade, Arianna has become a prominent figure in the world of biodynamic farming and natural winemaking. Her commitment to these principles, coupled with an evolving approach, has solidified her status as a symbol of success and innovation in the natural wine industry.

Sicily, Italy's largest island and its most extensive region, is a treasure trove of natural wine wonders. Nestled just across the Strait of Messina from the mainland, it boasts Palermo as its capital. This city is a melting pot of cultures, where Arab, Greek, Roman, and Spanish influences merge, not just in its mesmerizing architecture but also in its rich culinary heritage, including its thriving natural wine scene.

The island's history is as complex as it is captivating, mirrored in its diverse cultural tapestry. This complexity extends to its viticulture. Sicily ranked as Italy's third largest wine-producing region after Veneto and Tuscany, has seen a remarkable evolution in wine quality over the last three decades. While international grape varieties like Chardonnay and Syrah are making their mark, it's the indigenous varietals - Nero d’Avola, Catarratto, Grillo, and Inzolia - that truly define Sicilian natural winemaking. These native grapes, thriving in Sicily's unique terroir, give life to natural wines that are as vibrant and varied as the island itself.