The Shared Table
As many of you know, I spend a great deal of my time travelling, uncovering hidden gems, occasionally getting lost on unnamed dirt roads, staying in beautiful, characterful accommodations that make me want to remodel my entire house, eating far too enthusiastically for my own good, and meeting exceptional, inspiring people across Italy, France, and beyond.
Along the way, I’ve discovered some very special places, and built relationships with talented and passionate hosts, farmers, artisans, artists, winemakers, and chefs who bring each destination to life. For some time, I’ve wanted to share these experiences in a more personal way and so I’m delighted to introduce The Shared Table.
A different way of experiencing a place.
Not a trip. Not a tour. An intimate journey.
The Shared Table is a series of intimate, carefully curated journeys for women - created by Purple Truffle and hosted by exceptional local women. Offered by invitation only, with places intentionally limited.
Each experience unfolds slowly. Around tables. In kitchens. Among vineyards and artisan workshops. We travel not as observers, but as welcomed guests. This is travel at its most considered.
A chance to step away from the everyday and into something more grounded, more sensory, more real. To meet the people who shape a place - and to experience it through their eyes, their hands, their stories, their rhythms. We seek out small producers. We spend time with artisans. We sit at the table long enough for conversation to deepen.
Sicily, October 8 - 11, 2026
The first Shared Table will unfold in Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, where history, culture, and landscape are deeply intertwined. Long a bridge between north, south, east and west, Sicily is a place where influences converge, shaped over centuries by the many cultures that have passed through it. Today, ancient routes, baroque towns, and agricultural traditions sit alongside a contemporary energy, driven in part by a new generation embracing agricultural and culinary innovation.
Sicily reveals itself gradually, through its people, its land, and the stories it holds. This is an island of exceptional olive oil, fresh ricotta, sun-ripened vegetables, and a cuisine shaped by centuries of exchange. Iconic dishes such as pasta alla Norma and pasta con le sarde sit alongside caponata and cous cous, reflecting the sweet–savoury flavours shaped by Arab and North African traditions. Aubergines, first brought to Sicily by the Arabs, remain central to the island’s cooking, and the balance of sweetness and acidity found in dishes like caponata is a hallmark of this enduring influence.
Baglio Ochhipinti
In the south-eastern corner, Baglio Occhipinti sits on a low hill, surrounded by vineyards and working farmland. A former family farmhouse, it has been thoughtfully restored by Fausta Occhipinti, preserving its original spirit while introducing a quiet, considered elegance.
Inside, thick stone walls, cool corridors, and simple, beautifully composed rooms open onto gardens of chamomile and almond trees. There are places to gather, and just as many to retreat, from long tables set in the courtyard to shaded corners for reading and relaxation. Here, meals are shaped by the land, with ingredients drawn from the garden and nearby farms, and evenings unfold slowly under lantern light, with laughter and conversations that lingers.
The region is also home to Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily’s only DOCG wine, a reflection of both place and heritage.
The Rhythm of the Shared Table
Beautiful, characterful places with soul to call home for a few days.
Time spent exploring - off the ‘eaten path’.
Relaxed seasonal meals around a shared table.
Wine shared at its source.
Hands-on learning.
Country walks, hikes, and swimming, as well as optional yoga and Pilates.
Time with your hosts, and with local artisans and farmers who shape a place.
Unhurried time to reconnect - with yourself, with others, with a place.
Space to simply be.
What these 3 beautiful days will look like…
These are journeys that bring together some of Purple Truffle’s favorite people and places, offering a curated, intimate way to experience the people, culture, and cuisine of our chosen destination, accompanied by Bonnie, the founder of Purple Truffle.
Over three days, you will explore off the ‘eaten path’…Through food, wine, and the rhythms of daily life. Along the way, there will be opportunities to learn a new skill, shaped by the season and the setting, from cheesemaking and bread baking to olive oil pressing and wine and food pairing, guided by the people who know it best. Each journey will unfold naturally.
A collaboration with Rachel de Thample
Our Sicilian Shared Table includes a special collaboration with fermentation and gut health expert and author Rachel de Thample.
Together, we will explore fermentation using seasonal ingredients from the estate’s gardens - grapes, figs, herbs, pumpkins, and more. This will be a hands-on session focused on nourishment, flavour, and caring for ourselves from the inside out.
Something to take home, long after the journey ends
An intimate gathering
A small group of women. Three nights. One shared table. This is an intimate, considered experience - designed to feel personal, generous, and unhurried.
Join Us
There will be one Shared Table each season, with 8–10 places to keep the experience intimate. If you can't join this one but like the idea of finding out about our Winter, Spring, and Summer Shared Table adventures then get in touch to register your interest and you'll be among the first to find out what's in store.
If you like the idea of Sharing a Table with a group of your own favourite people then get in touch and I'd love to plan a bespoke journey for you.
Email Bonnie to find out more…
Baglio Occhipinti
Photos by kind permission of Baglio Occhipinti, © Baglio Occhipinti