Scicily, Italy
70% Frappato, 30% Nero d’Avola
Arianna Occhipinti is the niece of Giusto Occhipinti, the renowned winemaker behind COS wines, which are widely regarded as among the finest in Sicily. Her journey into winemaking began unexpectedly in 1998 when, at the age of 16, she accompanied her uncle to Vinitaly for four days. With no prior knowledge of wine, the experience left a lasting impression, inspiring her to pursue studies in viticulture and oenology at university. However, she quickly found that the conventional teachings of her coursework—focused on industrial methods—contradicted the organic and natural principles she had learned from her uncle, including organic viticulture, hand-harvesting, and native yeast fermentations.
SP68, named after the historic road that winds through Sicily’s vineyards, is a reflection of both place and philosophy. It is a youthful and vibrant wine, capturing the essence of the Sicilian sun and the freshness of the land.
In the glass, it presents a delicate, light red hue, exuding elegance from the first pour. The nose is enchanting, offering perfumed aromas of violets, roses, and white pepper, intertwined with ripe strawberries. On the palate, it is pure and expressive, with layers of sweet herbal notes, citrus zest, and wild berry fruits, all lifted by a striking acidity. The finish is long and refined, carrying a subtle tension, a touch of tartness, and a whisper of lavender.
Arianna Occhipinti’s SP68 is a wine that speaks of tradition, terroir, and a passion for natural winemaking—an eloquent expression of Sicily in a bottle.