Humble. Natural. Groundbreaking.
Respect the wine as if it was a person. A person who takes with him/her, a world, a history, an atmosphere. -Arianna Occhipinti
Arianna Occhipinti crafts Sicilian treasures that seldom come around, and Monarch is once again honored and humbled to carry four of her wines. Become acquainted with Arianna, who's wines embody nature, harmony and respect for all.
ABOUT THE NEW BRAND
SP68: A Road less traveled.
Arianna treats her land in Vittoria, Sicily as a gift given to her – one that she will eventually pass down to future inhabitants. Her land is situated in between the Mediterranean Sea and inland mountains, cooled by Iberian winds. Specifically, her vines sit alongside SP68, a County Road that marked her destiny and inspired the name of her flagship wines.
Arianna began her journey at age 16 alongside her uncle, Giusto Occhipinti – proprietor of Vittoria's famous winery, COS. Her immediate love for working in the vines and cellar drove her to attend oenology school and jump into her own production, beginning with one hectare of abandoned vines off of SP68.
'SP68' Bianco 2017
60% Zibbibo (aka Muscat of Alexandria) & 40% Albanello from multiple parcels of red sand soils over limestone. The grapes are co-fermented in concrete with a 2-week skin maceration; 8 months of aging in concrete before bottling. A Mediterranean stunner with notes of orange citrus, sage and almond. Fresh, linear and pure on the palate.
$31.99
SP68' Rosso 2017
70% Frappato & 30% Nero d'Avola grown on red sand soils over limestone. A balanced blend with Frappato's refreshing acidity + Nero d'Avola's dark forest fruits and tannic structure. The grapes are co-fermented with a 2-week skin maceration, followed by 8 months in concrete. Notes of blueberry compote, blood orange citrus and lavender. A bright red wine with just the right amount of structure.
$31.99
'Il Frappato' 2016
100% Frappato from 2 different parcels at higher altitudes than those for the SP68 bottlings. Partial carbonic maceration in concrete tank with a 30-day skin maceration. Aged 8 months in botti, with an additional 8 months in concrete before bottling unfined and unfiltered. Ripe red and black fruits, warm spices and crushed stones; fresh and energetic palate with a lingering, structured finish. Think ITALIAN CRU BEAUJOLAIS.
$44.99
'Grotte Alte' 2014
50% Frappato & 50% Nero d'Avola. Arianna's only DOCG wine: Vittoria's prestegious Cerasuolo di Vittoria. 'Grotte Alte' refers to the limestone ridges on which the Occhipinti estate lies, combining both Mediterranean Sea and mountain influences. Older vines, longer maceration and barrel aging – this is SP68 all grown up! Three years in large oak botti before release. Very limited production.
