Occhipinti

The SP68 cuvée of Frappato and Nero d'Avola is wonderfully fresh, dynamic, individual and modern. Generous flavours, solidly structured and equipped with mild tannins and fine spice. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2023 Rosso SP68 is pretty and perfumed, with a blend of crushed roses and violets accentuating blackberries, white smoke and wet stones. It washes across the palate with a liquid floral concentration and tart wild berry fruits, all guided by a core of brisk acidity. The 2023 leaves the mouth salivating as a tart cranberry crunchiness resonates and hints of blood orange slowly fade." Vinous

Occhipintis Bianco has been one of Sicily's craziest and at the same time most independent white wines for years. Made from equal parts Moscato and Albanello, it exudes the scent of peaches and flowers, with a subtle smoky note on the nose. Delicately bitter on the palate, yet bone-dry and with wonderfully fruity hints of lychee, lime and apricot. With half an hour of aeration and at a moderate 12°C drinking temperature, you will be completely mesmerised by the sophistication and drinkability of this exceptional wine! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2023 Bianco SP68 is distinctly savory, as wild herbs and wet concrete give way to crushed nectarines. This is soothingly round and supple with a spicy tinge of ginger up front, leading to tart orchard fruits and a cascade of salty minerals. The 2023 finishes vividly fresh yet still potent, leaving hints of green melon and lime zest that linger on and on. Allow the Bianco SP68 some time to open in the bottle to express its aromatics properly." Vinous

Arianna Occhipinti's Il Frappato, which is rare every year, is spicy and elegant on the nose but, as always, needs a little air to show its best side. Captivating aromas of sweet raspberries, rose petals, white pepper and thyme emerge in the glass, hinting at a mouthful of sweet red fruit, complemented by zesty acidity and salty salinity. Seamless tannins caress the long and perfumed finish. Il Frappato embodies a contemporary style that goes well with the healthy dishes we want to eat today, with lots of vegetables and white meat. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Il Frappato is an understated beauty. Blackberries and redcurrants swirl from the glass, accentuated by a hint of incense and grated sage. The palate is soft and supple, with crisp red and black fruits flowing over a core of tangible minerals and savoury spice. A hint of zesty acidity provides an amazing freshness, even as a tart wild berry note pinches the cheeks on the long and tense final. I would enjoy the 2022 with a meal rather than on its own, but I have a feeling that was Arianna Occhipinti's intention." Vinous

"A succulent, precise, bright and lively frappato. The nose shows notes of forest berries, sour cherries, forest floor, pebbles and mild spices. It’s light- to medium-bodied with silky tannins. Polished and vivid with bright acidity. It’s agile, with so much succulence at the center. Mouthwatering and long." James Suckling

Muscular Nero d'Avola, deep dark red in colour, rich in extract and powerful with aromas of dried fruit, raspberries, beetroot and blackcurrants. A juicy Sicilian from natural cultivation that enchants us with its great personality and beguiling finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"The scent of wild hedgerow berries leads to a softly structured, flavoursome palate that mirrors the nose and shows good intensity of red and black berries. Polished and well balanced, it is an elegant interpretation of Nero d'Avola." Decanter

"The organic Nero d'Avola Siccagno 2020 offers a lovely blend of cherry, dark fruit and a hint of clove. The wine shows notes of cola, black olives and baked plums in the background. There is plenty of fruit in this wine, leading to a bold, vibrant style. It is fluid in personality, but also lean in texture." Wine Advocate

"A very attractive Nero d'Avola with crushed black berries and bright citrus acidity with hints of fruit, black tea and dark mushrooms. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and tangy acidity on the finish. Drink or store." James Suckling

"The 2020 Nero d'Avola Siccagno captivates with an earth-inspired bouquet that blends crushed ashen stones with sage and smoke before giving way to crushed wild blueberries. It’s silky and refined, with a sleek wave of ripe red and blue fruits carried across a core of zesty acidity. A saline tinge adds a savory edge toward the close. The 2020 finishes lightly structured, long and with immaculate balance, leaving a coating of primary concentration, hints of citrus and inner florals. While already a total pleasure aromatically and on the palate, I expect the 2020 Siccagno will blossom beautifully over the next five to ten years in a cold cellar. This is stunning." Vinous

Muscular Nero d'Avola, deep dark red in colour, rich in extract and powerful with aromas of dried fruit, raspberries, beetroot and blackcurrants. A juicy Sicilian from natural cultivation that enchants us with its great personality and beguiling finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"A single-variety Nero d’Avola, Siccagno displays a dark ruby colour and opens up to deep aromas of crushed blackberries, chocolate-covered hazelnuts, leather, and a whiff of tar. The darkest wine in the range, firm acidity and slightly dusty tannins provide the backbone for layers of undergrowth-tinged black fruits, a lively progression with a medium to long finish lifted by anchovy-like salinity. Slightly more rustic than the Frappato-based wines, it will show best with some bottle ageing." Decanter

The SP68 cuvée of Frappato and Nero d'Avola is wonderfully fresh, dynamic, individual and modern. Generous flavours, solidly structured and equipped with mild tannins and fine spice. SUPERIORE.DE

"The remarkably beautiful 2022 Rosso SP68 is scented with a blend of violets, roses, white pepper and dried strawberries. The wine is pure, with sweet herbal notes accentuating the citrus-enriched wild berries and supported by vibrant acidity. The SP68 finishes with a gentle tension that caresses the cheeks, leaving a lovely hint of lavender that slowly fades." Vinous

"The SP68, named after the street that flanks the winery, is an entry-level wine made from Nero d'Avola and Frappato. It offers a taste of the winery's signature style at an affordable price and displays inviting aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries, with some floral and herbal elements in the background. The ripe acidity underpins the medium-heavy core of sweet red fruits and provides a delightfully light mouthfeel with a savoury and peppery finish." Decanter

Arianna Occhipinti: "The skins of the Frappato are thick and fragrant, which is why I thought of a grappa made from this grape. The rest is the careful work of Giovanni La Fauci, master distiller in Valdina, Messina."

The selected marc for this crystal clear grappa comes from Frappato di Vittoria grapes from the Contrada Fossa di Lupo. Precise on the nose with floral-spicy notes. Aristocratic on the palate with a full-bodied confirmation of the aromas. SUPERIORE.DE

This 100% Grillo comes from a vineyard located 490 metres above sea level and surrounded by pine forests, oaks and centuries-old olive trees. The soil of Contrada Santa Margherita consists of sandy calcareous marl of a whitish colour and yellowish-white calcarenite, all marine sediments dating back to the Pleistocene. These soils of the Monti Iblei at the foot of the small municipality of Chiaramonte Gulfi give the wine an impressive complexity and saltiness.

A wild and yet highly seductive bouquet of spiced citrus fruits. Then add some smoke and a hint of undergrowth and you have a great white wine from Etna. Softly textured and thoroughly flavoursome on the palate, with young peach accompanied by lively acidity and a hint of sour lemon. It leaves a hint of minerality, along with notes of ginger and tangerine, while finishing with impressive length and concentration. It's hard to put this glass down. SUPERIORE.DE

"A focused, textured and flavorful white showing notes of baked lemons, white flowers and hints of cedar. It’s medium-bodied with an oily texture. Lovely texture at the center, with succulence in the driven finish." James Suckling

"This 100% Grillo from Contrada Santa Margherita has an intense golden colour and combines Sicilian opulence with the freshness and minerality of a Chablis. Twelve months of ageing in large oak barrels adds a hint of sweet spice to the golden apple, lanolin and acacia honey, while iodine and flint linger in the background. The laser-like acidity is seamlessly interwoven with the viscous mid-palate, creating an unusual combination of textural depth and tension. The finish is long and slightly tactile, with juicy minerals combining with dried fruit and cinnamon." Decanter

The Frappato Vino di Contrada FL (from Contrada Fossa di Lupo) shows a slightly looser texture than the other two Contrada wines that have been part of Arianna Occhipinti's portfolio for 4 vintages. The Contrada Fossa di Lupo provides much of the fruit used for the entire Occhipinti line. It consists of sandy limestone with red and dark brown clay veins. The wine shows aromas of red fruits, including plums and blackberries. Slight hints of exotic spices only emerge after the Frappato has had time to really unpack in the glass. This wine is perhaps the most open of the three. Only 2,700 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"A dark, rich expression with earthy red and black cherry flavours and a bright, stony palate with intensely tart wild red fruits. It has a pronounced spiciness and sharpness that seems to come from the yeasts, leading to a dry finish with juicy cherry and strawberry notes." Decanter

"The Frappato Vino di Contrada FL 2020 has a more delicate style with aromas of wild roses and flowers rising delicately from the glass. Behind this are earthy tones, baked aubergine skin and slight hints of roasted fennel seeds. On the palate, the wine is tart and fresh, with equally macerated flavours. This wine is the somewhat wilder of the three Contrada wines in the series. The fruit comes from the Contrada Fossa di Lupo, with reddish and dark brown soils." Wine Advocate

The Frappato Vino di Contrada BB from the single vineyard Bombolieri is the darkest and most saturated of the three Frappato wines. This vineyard lies high on a promontory with white limestone soils. The expression is open and accessible like the other wines, but in this wine there is an added layer of earth or potting soil to the bright red and black fruits one perceives on the nose. This wine also seems to have extra layering and textural richness. All this fruit is topped with a fresh acidity that plays a big role and makes this wine a nice partner for creamy fettuccine. Only 2,400 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"It has some flinty reduction at this early phase in its life, hinting at milk chocolate, black cherry and earthy red fruit aromas. In the mouth it's grippy, broad and juicy, offering dark hedgerow berry flavours with a depth of warm soil, cardamom and peppery spice." Decanter

"The Frappato Vino di Contrada BB 2020 has a slightly richer colour with aromas of dark fruits such as black cherry and fresh plums. I like the impeccable balance of the BB (from Contrada Bombolieri with sandy soils and stones)." Wine Advocate

The Frappato Vino di Contrada PT (with fruit from the Contrada Pettineo) is a shade lower in colour intensity than the BB. This wine is similar to the FL in terms of accessibility and the very silky and delicate nature of its fruit. Arianna Occhipinti has achieved something marvellous for our collective understanding of the Frappato grape with the fermentation of these contrasting wines. Pettineo has sandy soils, and the Alberello vines (later converted to trellises) are over 60 years old. It is definitely on the right track, as you get a better understanding of the range of the grape variety. This expression shows bright freshness, wild berries, wild roses and hints of sweet almonds. Around 2,700 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"It's the finest and most perfumed of the three contrada wines, offering hedgerow berries and lovely florality. Intense, vibrant red fruits and juicy acidity combine on the textured, airy, vertical palate, with some hints of dried cherry on the long, sapid finish. Delicious!" Decanter

"The Frappato Vino di Contrada PT 2020 (from old vines of Contrada Pettineo) has a unique bouquet that stands out from the other wines in this series, especially in this warm and sunny vintage. There is a hint of purple plum, but the aromas are mainly focused on red fruit flavours with cassis and fresh cherries. I love the lively, powerful approach of this vibrant wine. It feels very lively." Wine Advocate

Some say that this wine is the most typical example of Arianna Occhipinti's pure yet impressive style. Its intensity and purity are also unmistakable in this current edition. Grotte Alte is bursting with fresh cherry, raspberry, wild rose, balsam herb and a hint of iron ore or rusty nails. The fruit blend is equal parts Nero d'Avola and Frappato and the result shows impeccable balance and graceful composure. On the palate, the wine is pleasantly lean, but there is still enough texture and richness to allow for a long, silky finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The vineyards of Occhipinti are located on the limestone rock typical of the area, and most of the vines are grown ad alberello (upside down bush vines). An intense aroma of red cherries, wild flowers and herbal notes is followed by a deep, lively and persistent flavour." Decanter

"The Cerasuolo di Vittoria Grotte Alte 2018 is unique and complex. It opens with an herb-accentuated bouquet that blends lavender with blueberry jam, crushed stones and floral undergrowth. It opens with a pretty inner sweetness enhanced by textures of pure silk, but the experience is serene and almost juicy. Citrus fruits and autumnal spices emerge towards the end. The 2018 finishes with tremendous length and potency, leaving a lingering aftertaste of tart blackberries and liquid stone. In a word: captivating." Vinous

The Frappato Vino di Contrada PT (with fruit from the Contrada Pettineo) is a shade lower in colour intensity than the BB. This wine is similar to the FL in terms of accessibility and the very silky and delicate nature of its fruit. Arianna Occhipinti has achieved something marvellous for our collective understanding of the Frappato grape with the fermentation of these contrasting wines. Pettineo has sandy soils, and the Alberello vines (later converted to trellises) are over 60 years old. It is definitely on the right track, as you get a better understanding of the range of the grape variety. This fine wine shows a bright freshness, wild berries, wild roses and a hint of sweet almonds. Around 2,700 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"Has the most ethereal nose in the line-up, mixing Chambolle-like redcurrants, dusty florals and incense with unmistakably Mediterranean aromas of garrigue and tapenade. Showing the same emphasis on drinkability and purity of fruit of the entry-level Frappato, the tannins are slightly racier and the aromatics even more changeling. Blood orange and iron linger on the long, mineral-inflected finish. Sourced from 60-year-old vineyards planted on a mix of red sands and yellow tufa in Contrada Pettineo, 'PT' epitomises gracefulness and airiness according to Arianna Occhipinti." Decanter

The Frappato Vino di Contrada BB from the single vineyard Bombolieri is the darkest and most saturated of the three Frappato wines. This vineyard lies high on a promontory with white limestone soils. The expression is open and accessible like the other wines, but in this wine there is an added layer of earth or potting soil to the bright red and black fruits one perceives on the nose. This wine also seems to have extra layering and textural richness. All this fruit is topped with a fresh acidity that plays a big role and makes this wine a nice partner for creamy fettuccine. Only 2,400 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fresh raspberry and floral notes, fine mineral vein; balanced texture with well-integrated tannins, noticeable acidity, precise and long." Vinum

"It reveals deep aromas of dark cherries, hazelnuts and iron intermingled with airier nuances of wild violets, black tea and balsamic herbs. Youthful grippy tannins frame a surprisingly vibrant and pure Nebbiolo-like finish, with bitter orange and ploughed earth complementing crunchy red and black fruits, vermouth-like botanical herbs and iodine, shaping a long and powerful finish that suggests excellent Storage potential. The wine comes from a 40-year-old parcel that lies on pebbles over layers of white limestone." Decanter

The Frappato Vino di Contrada FL (from Contrada Fossa di Lupo) shows a slightly looser texture than the other two Contrada wines that have been part of Arianna Occhipinti's portfolio for 5 vintages. The Contrada Fossa di Lupo provides much of the fruit used for the entire Occhipinti line. It consists of sandy limestone with red and dark brown clay veins. The wine shows aromas of red fruits, including plums and blackberries. Slight hints of exotic spices only emerge after the Frappato has had time to really unpack in the glass. This wine is perhaps the most open of the three. Only 2,700 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shows a dark ruby colour and has the most uncompromising nose among the 'vini di contrada', requiring a few minutes to shed some of its gamey exuberance and unveil aromas of freshly picked bramble fruits, tapenade, and soy sauce. It is also more tannic than the other two single-vineyard Frappato, demanding a bit of cellaring to fully come together. Sour cherries mingle with mouthwatering minerals and a touch of earthiness on the slightly powdery finish." Decanter

Some say that this wine is the most typical example of Arianna Occhipinti's pure yet impressive style. Its intensity and purity are also unmistakable in this current edition. Grotte Alte is bursting with fresh cherry, raspberry, wild rose, balsam herb and a hint of iron ore or rusty nails. The fruit blend is equal parts Nero d'Avola and Frappato and the result shows impeccable balance and graceful composure. On the palate, the wine is pleasantly lean, but there is still enough texture and richness to allow for a long, silky finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A bit shier than the vini di contrada in this phase, anise, sandalwood and a Burgundian whiff of animal musk superimposed over earthy red cherries and red roses. Layered but youthfully tight, blood orange and savoury minerals take centre stage, followed by pinpoint tannins and a touch of stemmy herbal freshness, while a kiss of oak spice frames the long and racy finish." Decanter

Rare every year, Il Frappato from Arianna Occhipinti is spicy and elegant on the nose, rich in red berries, plus fresh spices and flowers. Lively on the palate, beautifully relaxed, vibrant tannin. A graceful and exceptional red. SUPERIORE.DE

"With a red wax capsule, the Arianna Occhipinti 2020 Il Frappato shows sweet rose and wild strawberry over medium-weight texture. There is a mildly spicy component with cumin and a hint of powdery cinnamon. The wine finishes on a very fresh note with pressed rose and violet." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of suede, dried roses and dried strawberries. Medium-bodied with slightly firm tannins. Straightforward and quite beautiful on the palate, fresh and long." James Suckling

The Frappato Vino di Contrada FL (from Contrada Fossa di Lupo) shows a slightly looser texture than the other two Contrada wines that have been part of Arianna Occhipinti's portfolio for 4 vintages. The Contrada Fossa di Lupo provides much of the fruit used for the entire Occhipinti line. It consists of sandy limestone with red and dark brown clay veins. The wine shows aromas of red fruits, including plums and blackberries. Slight hints of exotic spices only emerge after the Frappato has had time to really unpack in the glass. This wine is perhaps the most open of the three. Only 2,700 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"A dark, rich expression with earthy red and black cherry flavours and a bright, stony palate with intensely tart wild red fruits. It has a pronounced spiciness and sharpness that seems to come from the yeasts, leading to a dry finish with juicy cherry and strawberry notes." Decanter

"The Frappato Vino di Contrada FL 2020 has a more delicate style with aromas of wild roses and flowers that rise delicately from the glass. Behind this are earthy tones, baked aubergine skin and slight hints of roasted fennel seeds. On the palate, the wine is tart and fresh, with equally macerated flavours. This wine is the somewhat wilder of the three Contrada wines in the series. The fruit comes from the Contrada Fossa di Lupo, with reddish and dark brown soils." Wine Advocate

The Frappato Vino di Contrada BB from the single vineyard Bombolieri is the darkest and most saturated of the three Frappato wines. This vineyard lies high on a promontory with white limestone soils. The expression is open and accessible like the other wines, but in this wine there is an added layer of earth or potting soil to the bright red and black fruits one perceives on the nose. This wine also seems to have extra layering and textural richness. All this fruit is topped with a fresh acidity that plays a big role and makes this wine a nice partner for creamy fettuccine. Only 2,400 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"It has some flinty reduction at this early phase in its life, hinting at milk chocolate, black cherry and earthy red fruit aromas. In the mouth it's grippy, broad and juicy, offering dark hedgerow berry flavours with a depth of warm soil, cardamom and peppery spice." Decanter

"The Frappato Vino di Contrada BB 2020 has a slightly richer colour with aromas of dark fruits such as black cherry and fresh plums. I like the impeccable balance of the BB (from Contrada Bombolieri with sandy soils and stones)." Wine Advocate

The Frappato Vino di Contrada PT (with fruit from the Contrada Pettineo) is a shade lower in colour intensity than the BB. This wine is similar to the FL in terms of accessibility and the very silky and delicate nature of its fruit. Arianna Occhipinti has achieved something marvellous for our collective understanding of the Frappato grape with the fermentation of these contrasting wines. Pettineo has sandy soils, and the Alberello vines (later converted to trellises) are over 60 years old. It is definitely on the right track, as you get a better understanding of the range of the grape variety. This expression shows bright freshness, wild berries, wild roses and hints of sweet almonds. Around 2,700 bottles were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

"It's the finest and most perfumed of the three contrada wines, offering hedgerow berries and lovely florality. Intense, vibrant red fruits and juicy acidity combine on the textured, airy, vertical palate, with some hints of dried cherry on the long, sapid finish. Delicious!" Decanter

"The Frappato Vino di Contrada PT 2020 (from old vines of Contrada Pettineo) has a unique bouquet that stands out from the other wines in this series, especially in this warm and sunny vintage. There is a hint of purple plum, but the aromas are mainly focused on red fruit flavours with cassis and fresh cherries. I love the lively, powerful approach of this vibrant wine. It feels very lively." Wine Advocate