Arianna Occhipinti, 'SP68' Bianco, Sicily, Italy, 2025

Overview of the Wine
Owner, winemaker, and viticulturist Arianna Occhipinti founded the estate in 2004, bottled her first commercial vintage in 2006 and today works exclusively with estate fruit. She began her career at 16 in her uncle Giusto Occhipinti’s cellar (of COS fame). Arianna loved the business enough to go to enology school. However, once there, she was disillusioned by the type of winemaking they were teaching, so she returned to the methods she observed while working with her uncle when it came time to establish her winery. 

This 25-hectare vineyard on the southeastern coast of Sicily is certified organic. The winery sits between the Mediterranean and inland mountains in the Vittoria region. The vineyard is planted with native Sicilian varietals; Frappato and Nero d’Avola for reds and Albanello and Zibibbo for whites. While the farm is certified organic, they follow biodynamic practices. That means farming in conjunction and harmony with nature. For example, they use cover crops such as fava beans and other valuable plants to maintain moisture in the soil in this hot and windy place rather than irrigate the vines.

Organic and biodynamic.

Winemaker
Arianna Occhipinti

Grape / Blend
60% Zibibbo and 40% Albanello

Origin
Sicily, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The two varieties are native to Sicily--Zibibbo is more widely known as Muscat of Alexandria--and are grown on red sand soils over limestone rock, with vines averaging 15 years old on two different sites. The grapes are co-fermented and aged in concrete tanks. Bottled unfiltered. 'SP68' is a road near Arianna's Vittoria estate which lends its name to her flagship white and red.

From certified-organic vines, averaging 20+ years old and planted on chalky, sandy soils. The bunches are harvested by hand, destemmed and co-fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in concrete tanks. Maceration lasts approximately two weeks. The wine is aged in concrete tanks for 6 months and bottled unfiltered. Sulfur use is modest. "SP68" is the Strada Provinciale 68, the country road on which the Occhipinti winery and home vineyard lie. 

94 Points - James Suckling
A layered wine with stunning freshness and floral aromas of roses, chalk, minerals, lemon zest and quince. Light-bodied and bone dry with a silky texture and refreshing yet brilliant acidity. Super polished with a slightly almondy finish. Drink now.

Product size: 750ml