Arianna Occhipinti (1982-) 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]
Arianna Occhipinti | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Education | University of Milan |
| Occupation | winemaker |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | Nero d’Avola, Frappato wine |
| Notable work | SP68 Rosso wine |
Personal life and education
editOcchipinti 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
editOcchipinti 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
edit- ^ Asimov, Eric (11 August 2016). "In Sicily, Making a Name for Vittoria". New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- ^ a b c Hanaova, ETHELIYA. "Winemaker Arianna Occhipinti". Find.Eat.Drink. Find.Eat.Drink. LLC. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- ^ "The wines of Arianna Occhipinti, Vittoria, Sicily". www.wineanorak.com. Wine Anorak.
- ^ DRESSNER, Louis. "Arianna Occhipinti". louisdressner.com. LOUIS DRESSNER. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- ^ a b Sanderson, Bruce. "A Vertical Tasting of Arianna Occhipinti's Frappato | Bruce Sanderson Decanted | Blogs | Wine Spectator". WineSpectator.com. Wine Spectator. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- ^ "Arianna Occhipinti: In Search of Place". Bi-Rite Market. 21 August 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- ^ copystudio.it, Irene Belluardo |. "Company - Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti". www.agricolaocchipinti.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ a b c Nesto, Bill; Savino, Frances Di (2013-03-26). The World of Sicilian Wine. University of California Press. p. 209. ISBN 9780520266186.
- ^ "Wine Arianna Occhipinti, SP 68 Bianco, Sicilia IGT, 2014, 0.75 L – price, reviews". winestyleonline.com. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ designvineyard.com, SommSelect website design and development by Design Vineyard -. "SommSelect Arianna Occhipinti, SP68 Sicily, Italy 2014". SommSelect. Archived from the original on 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ "Wine Arianna Occhipinti, SP 68 Bianco, Sicilia IGT, 2014, 0.75 L – price, reviews". winestyleonline.com. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ "A Force of Nature in Sicilia: Arianna Occhipinti – Uncorked In Italy Italian Natural Wine". uncorkedinitaly.com. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ Aguirre, Abby (2012-02-19). "REMIX: EDIBLE SELBY; Natural Woman". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ Pergament, Danielle (2016-10-25). "The Italian Winemakers' Cult". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-05-08.