In 2006, Joe and Kevin discovered the debut vintage of 24-year-old Arianna Occhipinti, whose meteoric rise has made her a leading voice in modern Sicilian wine. Niece of Giusto Occhipinti of COS fame, Arianna’s passion was sparked at age 16 while helping her uncle at Vinitaly, inspiring her to study viticulture—though her organic, hands-on philosophy clashed with conventional schooling. She began with one hectare of abandoned vines in Vittoria, gradually expanding to replant 10 hectares of Frappato and Nero d’Avola, rent venerable old-vine parcels, and acquire additional vineyards for her signature “SP68.” In 2014, she built a new cellar, enabling gravity-fed concrete fermentation and aging, further refining her energetic, terroir-driven approach.
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