Arianna Occhipinti

Arianna Occhipinti
Born Sicily, Italy
Residence Vittoria, Sicily, Italy
Education University of Milan
Occupation winemaker
Years active 2009–present
Known for Nero d’Avola, Frappato wine
Notable work SP68 Rosso wine

Arianna Occhipinti is an Italian winemaker and winery owner based in Vittoria, Italy.[1] She is based in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, where she grows Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes.[2] Occhipinti has worked in the wine industry since age 16,[3] and has released red wine vintages under her own label starting at age 22.[4] She is known for growing wines in the biodynamic methodology.[5]

Personal life and education

Occhipinti grew up in Sicily and became fascinated with wine in her teens.[6] Her uncle is Giusto Occhipinti, a Sicilian winemaker of the COS estate who has been making wine since 1980.[2] When Arianna was 16, she accompanied her uncle to VinItaly (the annual wine expo in Verona) and was very inspired by the wine culture and people.[2]

She attended the University of Milan's school of viticulture and enology at a young age, and released her first vintage at age 22.[5] She started growing wine in the Contrada Fossa di Lupo, and has since expanded to the Bombolieri, Pettineo and Bastonaca districts.[7]

Career

Occhipinti has farmed all of her land Biodynamically since 2009.[8] She started with one hectare of vines, and had 10 hectares as of 2014.[9]

Her SP68 Rosso, is a blend of two varieties native to this part of Sicily: Frappato and Nero d’Avola.[10] The title "SP68" refers to the Strada Provinciale 68, a state route that passes by Arianna’s rural property.[11]

Occhipinti introduces very little, if any, sulfur in the wine, uses no filtration, and follows an extremely simple vinification process:[8] wild fermentations from native airborne yeasts, 30 days maceration on skins, six months of aging in cement tanks,[12] and a final rest in bottle before release.[13]

Occhipinti is fluent in English, which has helped with U.S. distribution and press.[8] She is one of the largest producers of biodynamic wine (over 120,000 bottles annually), and it was among the first to be recognized by critics as high-quality wine.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Asimov, Eric. "In Sicily, Making a Name for Vittoria". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Hanaova, ETHELIYA. "Winemaker Arianna Occhipinti". Find.Eat.Drink. Find.Eat.Drink. LLC. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "The wines of Arianna Occhipinti, Vittoria, Sicily". www.wineanorak.com. Wine Anorak.
  4. ↑ DRESSNER, Louis. "Arianna Occhipinti". louisdressner.com. LOUIS DRESSNER. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  5. 1 2 Sanderson, Bruce. "A Vertical Tasting of Arianna Occhipinti's Frappato | Bruce Sanderson Decanted | Blogs | Wine Spectator". WineSpectator.com. Wine Spectator. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "Arianna Occhipinti: In Search of Place". Bi-Rite Market. Bi-Rite Market. 21 August 2015.
  7. ↑ copystudio.it, Irene Belluardo |. "Company - Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti". www.agricolaocchipinti.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  8. 1 2 3 Nesto, Bill; Savino, Frances Di (2013-03-26). The World of Sicilian Wine. University of California Press. p. 209. ISBN 9780520266186.
  9. ↑ "Wine Arianna Occhipinti, SP 68 Bianco, Sicilia IGT, 2014, 0.75 L – price, reviews". winestyleonline.com. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  10. ↑ designvineyard.com, SommSelect website design and development by Design Vineyard -. "SommSelect Arianna Occhipinti, SP68 Sicily, Italy 2014". SommSelect. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  11. ↑ "Wine Arianna Occhipinti, SP 68 Bianco, Sicilia IGT, 2014, 0.75 L – price, reviews". winestyleonline.com. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  12. ↑ "A Force of Nature in Sicilia: Arianna Occhipinti – Uncorked In Italy Italian Natural Wine". uncorkedinitaly.com. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  13. ↑ Aguirre, Abby (2012-02-19). "REMIX: EDIBLE SELBY; Natural Woman". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  14. ↑ Pergament, Danielle (2016-10-25). "The Italian Winemakers' Cult". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
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