A world away from apple cosies, the Sicilian and I (and our two bambini) have been in Sicily for the family olive harvest. As Autumn visits the cottage in the woods, we get a last blast of mediterranean sunshine before the winter sets in. It is a time to relax with family, work on the land (picking olives is no picnic - we still do it by hand, the old-fashioned way!) and enjoy the fruits of this amazing island. I've been visiting regularly since I met the Sicilian 15 years ago, and the sight of the pomegranite trees laden with fruit still takes my breath away - I couldn't bare to see the fruits drying and splitting, so we gathered a couple of dozen and pressed some delicious fresh juice.
This really is a land of plenty, with more than just the one growing season each year, the harvest is always a rich and colourful one. Imagine my delight when the local fruit and veg man pulled up below Nonna Rosanna's apartment with this lot on board...
The children immediately spotted their favourite spherical cucumbers, so we called down from the balcony for our purchases of Cardinal grapes, Indian figs, aubergines, fennel and more, which the Sicilian delivered back up to us. Olive picking can summon up quite an apetite, especially in our olive grove which is on an unforgiving slope at the foot of some steep cliffs. But there is nothing that gives me more satisfaction than seeing the grassy green liquid pour from the press, or the first taste of the new season's oil as it runs over the back of your throat with that familiar burn.
We were lucky enough this year to be joined by my Canadian family, Bob and Robyn. Not only did they provide us with some much needed help in the olive grove, but they scooped up the Sicilian and I, taking us off to the Regaleali Estate of the Tasca d'Almerita family. Used to drinking Nonno Ciccio's home brew wine when in Sicily, this was a whole new experience for us. Under the expert guidance of Sacha Stancampiano, and with a little gentle encouragement from Bob and Robyn (Bob has the Rimrock Cafe in Whistler and an award winning wine list therein), we tasted our way through a whole ream of beautiful Sicilian wines. Given that normally I only have a glass of wine once every couple of weeks back home, the true elegance of the wines might have been a little lost on me - but what I can say, with real conviction, is that there is something magical about Sicilian wines; they really do capture the essence of the island, it's beauty, it's intensity, it's richness and it's intrigue. If you are lucky enough to get the chance to drink some Regaleali wine, grab it and enjoy! The Estate itself is a 500 hectare gem in Sicily's crown. And the lovingly tended land is matched by the understated charm of the buildings....
Who wouldn't wake up early for a view like this?!
But 24 hours of 'grown up' time and I was more than ready to be with the children again. To listen to them work on their Italian (not many of the family speak English), to watch Pipi tuck in to her favourite octopus salad, and to walk hand in hand with them on the sandy shores of the sparkling Mediterranean sea....
Our last morning spent playing football in the Piazza at the top of town, oblivious (almost) to the small gathering of gentleman in the adjacent bar - to say that they are all known to the authorities might give a little indication of what I'm referring to; now, there in lies another story, but not one that I could ever tell! It's back to the crochet hook for me ;) xxx
