Italy · Sicily · Vittoria
In the south-east of Sicily, near the town of Vittoria, lies Azienda Agricola COS – one of the most influential and historically significant wineries on the island. The winery was founded in 1980 by three young winemakers, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti and Cirino Strano, who together formed the acronym COS . They started the project at a time when Sicily was characterized by mass production and anonymous wines, but their vision was radically different: to revive the original Sicilian wine tradition and show that the island could create wines with depth, elegance and authenticity.
Wine production in Sicily has roots that stretch back more than 3,000 years – from the Greek colonies and Roman times to today’s natural wine movement. COS builds on this heritage, but with a modern and biodynamic focus. Since 2000, the entire production has been certified organic, and the work in both the field and the cellar follows the principles of natural wine, without additives and with respect for the ecosystem.
The estate covers around 35 hectares of vineyards, located on calcareous and sandy soil near Comiso and Acate – an area characterized by warm days, cool nights and fresh sea breezes. Here, local grape varieties such as Nero d'Avola, Frappato, Grecanico, Inzolia and Zibibbo are mainly grown. COS is particularly known for its elegant versions of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, the only DOCG in Sicily made from Nero d'Avola and Frappato, where freshness, structure and aromatic finesse meet in perfect balance.
The wines are fermented spontaneously and often aged in large clay amphorae – a technique that connects the house directly to the ancient winemaking of Sicily. This method gives the wines a natural texture and mineral expression that clearly reflects the terroir. In the cellar, work is done without fining, without filtration and with only minimal amounts of sulfur.
The style of COS is defined by lightness, precision and transparency – a counterpoint to the heavy, sun-ripened style that long dominated Sicily. Here, wine is not about power, but about energy and harmony. With their work, Giusto Occhipinti and his team have made COS an icon for both natural and biodynamic wine in Italy and a role model for the new generation of winemakers who see Sicily as a land with a past, a future and a soul in every drop.
