Founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti, COS adopted biodynamic farming and amphora (pithos) fermentation in Sicily from the 1990s.
Tasting: Winery visits by reservation only. Contact via the COS website or telephone (+39 0932 876145).
Signature wines: cos-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, cos-pithos-rosso, cos-rami
Arianna Occhipinti started with one hectare along the SP68 road in 2004 and has grown to 40 hectares farmed organically and biodynamically. Her SP68 Rosso blends Frappato and Nero d'Avola from low-yielding organic plots and is distributed widely through specialist natural-wine importers.
Tasting: Visits by reservation year-round, mornings or afternoons. Vineyard walk, cellar tour and wine and oil tasting with olives and bruschetta. Languages: Italian, English, French. Contact +39 0932 1865519.
Signature wines: occhipinti-sp68-rosso, occhipinti-sp68-bianco, occhipinti-siccagno
Six generations of the Jacono family have farmed these 70 hectares in the Ragusa province. Gaetana Jacono runs the estate, producing organic Frappato and Nero d'Avola that anchor their acclaimed Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG blend.
Tasting: Classic wine tastings, chef-led pairings, cooking courses and vineyard walks at the Acate estate.
Signature wines: valle-acate-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, valle-acate-il-frappato, valle-acate-tane
Feudi del Pisciotto is an 18th-century restored manor on the edge of the Sughereta di Niscemi Nature Reserve producing wines in the Val di Noto.
Tasting: Wine Relais with boutique hotel, restaurant and wine experiences at the restored 18th-century manor in the Val di Noto.
Signature wines: feudi-pisciotto-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, feudi-pisciotto-versace-nero-davola
COS Pithos wines are fermented and aged in terracotta amphorae, reviving pre-industrial Sicilian vinification techniques. The Pithos Bianco from Grecanico is fermented on skins and the Pithos Rosso from Nero d'Avola was introduced around 2000.
Tasting: Amphora wines tasted alongside DOCG range at the COS estate. By reservation.
Signature wines: cos-pithos-bianco, cos-pithos-rosso
Planeta's Vittoria estate in the Dorilli contrada produces Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, the only DOCG in Sicily, blending Nero d'Avola and Frappato. The estate has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Vittoria appellation.
Tasting: Tastings at the Vittoria estate bookable via the Planeta estate site.
Signature wines: planeta-cerasuolo-di-vittoria