sicilian getaway

SLOWING DOWN

For Spring 2025, team Summum sought a shoot location that captured the essence of the season and found it in Pantanello, a charming olive grove in rugged Sicily. Owners Rhiannon Pickles and Taco produce organic olive oil there using traditional methods. The Sicilian house, with its white plastered walls and wooden doors, sits in a landscape that’s both wild and vibrant. Fields bloom in spring, while ancient olive, lemon, and orange trees bear fruit in the fall. This ever-changing scenery, along with a deep respect for craftsmanship andnature, inspired the Spring 2025 collection.

PANTANELLO

Pantanellois located near Noto, in a valley surrounded by almond, lemon, and olive trees. Rhiannon was inspired to move to Sicily by her rural upbringing in North Wales. "We lived off the land, growing our own vegetables and foraging for wild mushrooms and berries. This way of life, in tune with the seasons, felt familiar when I moved to Sicily, where there’s a strong connection to the land and distinct seasons that offer many opportunities for making products."

One of Pantanello's standout products is its artisanal olive oil. Hand-picked at the end of September in small batches, the olives are processed the same day and certified DoP and BIO. The oil’s flavor is unique—fresh, green, and reminiscent of green tomato plants, raw artichokes, fresh almonds, and freshly cut grass. Summum also fell for the fragrant olive oil soap, a hobby of Rhiannon’s that may become a side business. "Soap-making came from our olive oil production. I was surprised at how simple and pure it is. I use it every day, even on my face."

OUR HOUSE

Team Summum was not only impressed by the olive groves but also by the welcoming ambience of the old Sicilian farmhouse. It feels casual, yet perfection lies in the details: the upholstery, green dishes, tied olive branches. Rhiannon explains, "We keep the house as authentic and Sicilian as possible. It’s largely the same as when we bought it, with only minor restorations. The layout and color schemes remain, and most of the original paint is untouched. Much of the furniture, like the beds and tables, was already here. We’ve reupholstered some pieces due to their age, but the proportions are typically Sicilian, which is why they fit so well."

The house provides a solid foundation, to which Rhiannon has added personal touches. "Almost everything was bought locally in Sicily, like the green bowls I adore. Recently, we've noticed more regional differences in taste, such as between Catania and Noto, or Scicli and Noto."

The appreciation for the old gives the home its authenticity. "Sicily was so poor that it wasn't a throwaway culture. People would give their furniture a new life rather than discard it. They kept things until they truly fell apart."

When something new enters, Rhiannon draws inspiration from the existing pieces and the history of the place. "We often look to the original furniture, and old Sicilian TV shows from the '50s and '60s have also shown us how people lived back then."

MANGIA!

Large, beautifully set tables and shared meals with tutta la famiglia—food is another way Rhiannon shows her love for Pantanello, and Team Summum felt truly spoiled. Rhiannon says, "I love cooking, and the more I do it, the more obsessed I become. It’s a way to share my love for the land and its produce, as well as to talk about Sicily's rich cultural history. Sicily has been an Islamic
caliphate, ruled by the Greeks and Romans, and has always traded with North Africa. The British brought Marsala wine, and chocolate, potatoes, and tomatoes arrived from South America. The French also influenced local flavors. For me, Sicilian cuisine celebrates the creativity born from centuries of immigration and emigration."

Pantanello olive oil, of course, plays a key role in the meals, along with other local fruits—sometimes simply as decoration. Rhiannon adds, "Honestly, I only set the table when I have time and feel like it. I have three teenage boys, dogs, and cats! In winter, I love placing fresh lemons, citrons, oranges, and tangerines on the table. The colors of the fruit on a simple white tablecloth
with beautiful glassware are a joy to see."

ENJOY PANTANELLO?
You can. The house is available for rent. More information is available on Pantanello's Instagram page.
@pantanellosicily