Weekend Wine Tasting

Winery Profile

Stefano Occhetti from Roero Piedmont Italy

It’s a new(ish) estate. In 2016, Stefano Ochetti returned home. To frazione Ochetti, a hamlet on Monteu Roero where his father and grandfather were born. Stefano wasn’t taking over a family winery, though ancestors had been farmers. He inherited a half hectare from his grandfather, and was able to purchase just over a hectare of additional vines. 2019 was Occhetti’s first vintage.

Stefano’s wife Giulia recently joined the winery’s small team. Nonno Meco and Roberto (the oenologist) are the other employees. Stefano and Giulia have two young children. The farm is in the center of Roero. At first, they made 4,000 bottles per vintage, and sold primarily via Instagram. Ninety percent went to restaurants. The farm has ballooned in a few short years to a massive four hectares, and (potentially) 15,000 bottles per year, though weather seems to consistently knock down that total. When we spoke in December, Stefano had bottled about 5,000 Langhe Nebbiolo, 2,000 Sanche Roero (a steep cru, his finest wine) and 2,000 Arneis. A Barbera is also made. Great growth from 2019, but not the totals they aspire to make.