Arianna Occhipinti "Cuvee 20" Vino di Contrada, Terre Siciliane, IGT, Sicily, Italy, 2023 (Special Frappato)

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
Frappato

Origin
Sicily, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A celebratory blend of her three top vineyard sites—Fossa di Lupo, Bombolieri, and Pettineo—marking her 20th vintage. The nose is highly fragrant with red cherry, pomegranate, and red rose, underlined by an iodized sea-salt character. The palate is light-footed but structured, balancing vibrant berry fruit with silky tannins and a savory, mineral finish of Mediterranean herbs. It is a refined, complex "summary" of her winemaking history.

96 Points - James Suckling
Vibrant and layered with seductive depth, showing blood oranges, wild strawberries, cinnamon and violet candy. Medium- to full-bodied, it shines with tension, offering youthful, chalky yet ripe tannins and a long, chewy finish. Drink or hold.

Product size: 750ml