THE INSIDE WORD
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There’s nary an Occhipinti drinker—here or anywhere—coming to these wines for the usual suspects. Arianna Occhipinti has carved out her own corner of Sicily from 18 hectares of organically farmed vines, working almost exclusively with native grapes—Frappato and Nero d’Avola chief among them. While she comes from serious Sicilian pedigree (her uncle, Giusto Occhipinti, is behind the revered COS estate), her following stretches well beyond that orbit—drawn in by wines that feel entirely her own.
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CULT STATUS
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Only an insatiable curiosity—and a fair bit of determination—could be behind wines like these. It all began with a single hectare of abandoned vines, where, at 22 she released her first wine. Over two decades later, she tends 25 hectares of vineyards in Cerasuolo di Vittoria—the only DOCG in Sicily—on the southern tip of the island. The wines don’t just quench your thirst or serve up a quick, delicious fix. They exude a zesty energy a confidence that’s helped redefine modern Sicilian wine. Unmistakably of place, these releases rarely leave Europe in any real volume. When they do, everyone’s racing to get there first. Game on.
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SICCAGNO NERO D'AVOLA 2022
$110.00
Occhipinti is one of the hottest names coming out of Sicily in the natural wine game. The Siccagno is 100% hand-harvested Nero d’Avola fruit, with medium acid and medium tannin. With trademark Occhipinti soil notes of chili, pepper, wet tobacco and black cherries colliding on the nose with a palate of dark licorice, tart dark cherry, ashy charcoal and fresh potting soil. Arianna’s wines are the ode to the place she loves and the Siccagno is fresh and mouth-watering.
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SP68 BIANCO 2024
$65.00
Arianna Occhipinti is always growing as a winemaker, like these 25 hectares of certified biodynamic native Sicilian varietals. With sense of place shining through again, this is a blend of Albanello and Zibbibo, perfumed exotic fruits, a stony minerality and white flowers. A kick of tannin from the skin maceration, and salinity on the finish. Epically detailed.
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IL FRAPPATO 2023
$110.00
This is the one. Sometimes? No. Always? Yup. To think this all began with a single hectare of abandoned vines in Sicily. 100% Frappato, matured in Slavonian oak. Oh, so expressive. A nose of fresh red berries, preserved fruits, raisins and quince. Herbs and citrus peel on the finish. Structured and textural. You won’t regret it.
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SP68 ROSSO 2023
$58.00
Plummy Nero d’Avola with lifted Frappato adding elegance, the reputation of winemaker Arianna Occhipinti's grows. A ‘sense of place’ shines through everything. The label is a tribute to the SP68 highway that runs past her operation, but the wine… the wine is a wander through Sicily. Fresh cut flowers, earthy darkness. Checklist wine. Every year.
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| Frank Cornelissen - Munjebel MC Nerello Mascalese 2020 |
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| Yarra Yering - Vintage Cuvée Sparkling 2018 |
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| Pierre Morey - Monthelie Rouge Pinot Noir 2021 |
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| Fumey Chatelain - Crémant du Jura Blanc NV |
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| Ar.Pe.Pe - Valtellina Superior Grumello Ris Sant'Antonio Nebbiolo 2016 |
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| I Vigneri - Radica Rosso Etna Grenache 2022 |
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| Littorai - Les Larmes Pinot Noir 2024 |
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| Ar.Pe.Pe - Valtellina Superior Sassella Riserva Ultimi Raggi Nebbiolo 2016 |
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| Frank Cornelissen - MC Munjebel Nerello Mascalese 2021 |
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