COS Nero di Lupo Nero d'Avola 2023

Giusto Occhipinti established COS winery in 1980 alongside friends Giambattista Cilia and Cirino Strano in Vittoria, Sicily. The winery name derives from the initials of their surnames (Cilia, Occhipinti, Strano). Located in southeastern Sicily's Ragusa province, COS operates from a historic 1880s winery building that originally served Sicily's booming 19th-century wine trade.

Giusto Occhipinti pioneered organic viticulture in Sicily, converting COS to certified organic farming in the 1980s, decades before the movement gained mainstream acceptance. The estate practices biodynamic agriculture, following astronomical calendars and using natural composting techniques with herbal preparations. COS manages vineyards in the hot, dry climate of southern Sicily, where old bush vines are head-trained close to the ground for wind resistance.

COS revolutionized Sicilian winemaking by introducing clay amphora aging in the early 2000s. Giusto Occhipinti researched ancient winemaking vessels and installed over 150 Spanish-sourced 440-liter clay amphoras, creating one of the world's largest collections. These porous clay vessels impart minimal flavor while allowing micro-oxygenation, preserving pure varietal character. The winery also uses large neutral oak botti and concrete tanks for different wines.

COS produces Sicily's only DOCG wine, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, blending indigenous Nero d'Avola and Frappato grapes. In 2005, COS became the first producer to achieve DOCG status for this appellation. Key wines include Nero di Lupo (100% Nero d'Avola), showcasing the variety's spicy, mineral-driven character, and Pithos Rosso, aged entirely in amphoras.

The estate's white wine portfolio features Pithos Bianco from local Grecanico grapes and various experimental cuvées. All wines undergo natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention.

Giusto Occhipinti's work at COS established the winery as a benchmark producer in Sicily and a leader in Italy's natural wine movement. The estate's commitment to expressing terroir through minimal intervention has influenced a generation of Sicilian winemakers. COS wines are recognized internationally for their authenticity, reflecting the unique limestone-rich soils and Mediterranean climate of the Vittoria area through indigenous grape varieties and traditional techniques.

Sicilian wine represents one of Italy's most dynamic and rapidly evolving wine regions, transforming from bulk wine production to crafting exceptional quality wines that showcase the island's unique Mediterranean terroir. As Italy's largest island and fourth-largest wine-producing region, Sicily benefits from diverse microclimates, volcanic soils, and ancient winemaking traditions dating back over 3,000 years.

Sicily's wine production centers around several key areas, each offering distinct characteristics. Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, produces some of Sicily's most prestigious wines from vineyards planted on mineral-rich volcanic soils at elevations up to 1,000 meters. The eastern slopes of Etna are particularly renowned for elegant reds and crisp whites with pronounced minerality.

The southeastern province of Ragusa, including the Vittoria area, produces the island's only DOCG wine, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, blending local Nero d'Avola with Frappato grapes. Western Sicily encompasses the historic Marsala region, famous for its fortified wines, while the Trapani province excels in both traditional and innovative winemaking approaches.

Sicilian wine showcases remarkable grape diversity, with indigenous varieties perfectly adapted to the Mediterranean climate. Nero d'Avola, Sicily's flagship red grape, produces full-bodied wines with dark cherry flavors, spice, and mineral undertones. The variety thrives in the island's hot, arid conditions and forms the backbone of many premium Sicilian wines.

For red wines, Nerello Mascalese dominates Etna's volcanic slopes, creating elegant, Burgundian-style wines with bright acidity and floral aromatics. Nerello Cappuccio provides color and structure in blends, while the lighter Frappato adds delicate fruit flavors to Cerasuolo di Vittoria.

White grape varieties include Carricante, Etna's premier white grape, producing mineral-driven wines with excellent aging potential. Grillo and Catarratto create crisp, aromatic whites, while Grecanico and Inzolia contribute to both dry wines and traditional Marsala production. The island of Pantelleria specializes in Moscato di Pantelleria, made from Zibibbo grapes that produce exceptional sweet wines.

Sicily's Mediterranean climate features hot, dry summers and mild winters, with significant diurnal temperature variations at higher elevations. The diverse terroir ranges from volcanic soils around Mount Etna to limestone and clay in the interior, sandy soils along coastlines, and unique pumice stone on Pantelleria.

Contemporary Sicilian wine production emphasizes quality over quantity, with producers embracing both traditional techniques and modern technology. Many estates practice organic and biodynamic viticulture, taking advantage of the island's natural disease resistance due to dry conditions and strong winds.

Sicilian wine continues gaining international recognition for its distinctive character, excellent value, and ability to express the island's unique terroir through both indigenous varieties and carefully selected international grapes adapted to Mediterranean conditions.