“We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
About US
Terre del Favonio, our organic farm, was founded in 2012, but the idea behind this project has always been inside of us.
We love and respect our territory and the natural surroundings of Favignana which is essentially an agricultural landscape. We would like to see it protected and enhanced. From this aspiration comes the idea of an organic farm in contrast to the abandonment of the fields.
RESPECT
Respect for nature and for its rhythms, protecting biodiversity and seasonality, and research and keeping up to date on sustainable agriculture techniques: these are the soul of Terre del Favonio.
The territory that surrounds us is our source of inspiration, trust, and nourishment. We believe in the power of kindness and collaboration between man and nature.
WE ARE SICILIAN
We are Sicilian, proud of our traditions and our land.
We feel an unrelenting responsibility to recover and make the most of the many native species of Sicily, and to safeguard the precious agri-food heritage that has been handed down to us.
It is nature
THAT GUIDES OUR
EVERY CHOICE
We practice organic farming with commitment and passion: we do not use synthetic chemicals, we fertilise the fields using green manure made from field beans and wild plants, we reduce tillage to a minimum, and we try to safeguard and increase the balance and biodiversity of the ecosystem, allowing weeds to grow between the crops and at the edges of the fields.
Our commercial farm Terre del Favonio consists of several plots located in the north-west part of the island of Favignana, totalling approximately 50 hectares. We cultivate olive trees, arable land, and vineyards. We also produce vegetables, aromatic herbs, figs, and prickly pears, as well as honey from Sicilian black bees, and eggs from happy, free-range hens.
Our olive grove extends over 7 hectares and has the classic Trapani varieties: 80% Biancolilla, 10% Nocellara, and 10% Cerasuola. From these olives we produce extra virgin and organic oil, cold pressed in our own mill just a few hours after harvesting, so as to preserve their nutritional and organoleptic qualities. The olives are harvested mainly by hand, to avoid damaging the trees and fruit, and to guarantee top-quality oil.
In the arable land, we grow ancient varieties of Sicilian wheat in rotation: Tumminia, Russello, Perciasacchi, Maiorca and Margherito. The wheat, stone-ground and cylinder-ground, is used to produce our flours and wholemeal busiate, a traditional pasta from the Trapani area. We also bake naturally leavened bread and traditional Sicilian baked goods every day.
Our seaside vineyard overlooks the blue waters between Levanzo and Marettimo. Here, we grow three native varieties, Grillo, Catarratto and Frappato, in 84 rows of vines.
At the foot of Mount Santa Caterina, on three small terraces nestled among centuries-old carob trees, we grow sweet Zibibbo grapes.
One of the things we cherish the most in Terre del Favonio is the collaboration with our industrious black bees (Apis mellifera Sicula). From April to August, their scrupulously organized efforts in the 53 hives located on the slopes of Santa Caterina mountain allow us to witness the miracle of the production of honey: wildflower, or thyme and thistle, depending on the blossoms of the season.
Lastly, our organic kitchen garden represents our daily communion with the earth and its precious bounty. We grow native fruits and vegetables in season and in rotation, following a natural cultivation method in harmony with the rhythms of the earth, and without the use of synthetic chemicals. We love observing and interpreting the teachings of nature, and every day we bear witness to the astonishing generosity of our territory.
The enchantment
OF OUR VINEYARDS
BY THE SEA
Gnarled and expressive sculptures, harsh in winter and teeming with life in summer, our vines are the leading players in a sensorial tale of foliage swept by the foehn wind, bountiful verdure, and juicy fruits that twinkle in glasses full of sunshine, salt, and culture.
The fragrance
FRESHLY PRESSED OIL
In the heart of the olive grove there is a dance performed by arms and hands which marks
the ritual of the olive harvest. An intoxicating aroma emanates from the oil mill and suffuses
our every action and every thought so that,
in that ceremony, we become one with the trees and their worthy gifts.
The magic
OF OUR OVEN AND
THE GENEROUS FRUITS
OF OUR WHEAT FIELDS
When man and the earth come together in an embrace of trust, of respect, and of knowledge, an expanse of ancient grains and golden foliage is transformed into soft and fragrant wholemeal flour which, day after day, celebrates one of the oldest and most symbolic rites of humanity: the preparation of bread in its infinite variations.
The virtuosity
OF OUR HARDWORKING BEES
Those who have had the honour of witnessing the fascinating dances of working bees, the sonorous vibrations of a hive, and the spectacle of honey flowing from the combs will perhaps understand the love that we nurture for our Sicilian black bees, and our immense gratitude for their gift: the most precious gold we know.
The generosity
OF OUR KITCHEN GARDEN AND THE SUN
THAT NOURISHES IT
Listening, patience, wonderment, gratitude, and lots of care are the only techniques we employ to produce local vegetables and generous fruits to bring to the table.
