Stefano Occhetti Roero Riserva 2021 (Case of 6 Bottles)

Founded in 2019 by a corporate engineer who abandoned a multinational career to reclaim his grandfathers' steep, unforgiving hills, this dynamic Roero rising star captures the ultimate garage-wine spirit of Piedmont. Backed by his felloC-W-engineer partner Giulia, Stefano Occhetti meticulously tends a minuscule five hectares of vines entirely by hand on vertigo-inducing slopes. Leveraging a rich, biodiverse forest ecosystem and ancient marine sandy soils, the duo crafts highly innovative, small-batch allocations—ranging from a tenacious, boundary-pushing Arneis to chiseled, structurally radiant Nebbiolos—that pulse with crystalline fruit purity, silky-smooth tannins, and a brilliantly fresh, narrative-driven energy.

Italy’s winemaking roots run through the ancient Etruscans and Romans, who spread viticulture across the peninsula. Today, it blends deep tradition with forwarC-D-thinking producers who champion native grapes and terroiC-R-driven styles. The country is a patchwork of regions, grapes and traditions, producing everything from alpine whites in the north to sun-soaked reds in the south. Its appellation system is built around DOC and DOCG, which help signpost quality and origin across a landscape that can shift dramatically from one area to the next. Key grapes such as Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Barbera sit alongside countless local varieties that shape each region's identity. Whether it is the structure of Chianti Classico and Piedmont, or the bright coastal styles of Sicily, Italian wine is ultimately about diversity and a strong sense of place.

Piedmont sits in the northwest of Italy and is known for producing some of the country’s most distinctive and characterful wines. Nebbiolo is the headline act here, forming the backbone of Barolo and Barbaresco wines with firm structure and bright acidity. Barbera and Dolcetto add more easy-going everyday (and great value) options, while the region also produces crisp whites from Arneis and Nascetta, as well as the lightly sparkling, sweet Moscato d’Asti. Winemaking in Piedmont leans on tradition with a focus on expressing each vineyard site clearly. The result is a region defined by clarity, structure, and a strong sense of place in every style.