In Sicily, there's a small farm growing over 200 aromatic plants where you can engage your sense of smell

On a hill overlooking the sea of Sampieri, near Scicli in the province of Ragusa, over twenty years ago, driven by a love for the Iblean land and a passion for medicinal and aromatic herbs, Enrico Russino and his family founded the farm Gli Aromi Sicily. Here, they grow and sell over 200 different varieties of aromatic and medicinal herbs from the southeastern coast of Sicily and various parts of the world, such as savory, wild fennel, thyme, sage, and the caper plant, which remains the company's flagship, representing the deepest connection with the land of Sicily.

A five-sense experience

In the last fifteen years, the farm has expanded its offerings, opening its doors to tourism with sensory tours among the aromatic herbs, themed days focused on wellness, food and wine, education, and much more. It's a place where guests can have a 360-degree experience, engaging all five senses. The tours among the aromatic plants, guided by Enrico himself, stimulate the sense of smell, bringing guests closer to unique scents and aromas, and the sense of touch, through direct contact with various plant species, allowing them to feel the differences.

The farm's evolution has also extended to gastronomy and taste, especially with the arrival of chef Rita Russotto, Enrico's wife. She has embarked on an ongoing quest to explore the aromatic plants, mainly endemic to the area, striving to incorporate these herbs into her recipes, adapting them to various dishes offered to guests during events in spring and summer or banquets for special occasions. Her cuisine focuses on creating the perfect pairing between different herbs and ingredients like fish, meat, eggs, local cheeses, and vegetables from the farm’s garden, a true zero-kilometre approach! To stimulate the palate and curiosity of her guests, who often return for another experience, she rarely repeats the same menu, even drawing on nearly forgotten recipes. Additionally, to create the right atmosphere and enjoy the beauty of the countryside, the events almost always feature a barbecue.

For several years now, Rita has been exploring new offerings and making the most of the plants by producing jams, preserves, sauces, pâtés, flavoured salts, and dried products like za'atar, a blend of dried herbs, toasted sesame seeds, and sumac (a red Mediterranean spice with the scent of dried tomatoes and the taste of lemon), used in Middle Eastern countries to flavour and season meat, eggs, fish, and salads.

Music and views

Live music, the sounds of nature, or the rustling of the wind through the plants also engage the sense of hearing during a visit to the farm. The outdoor environment, especially the open-air theatre often used for various events, is the perfect place to admire the captivating light, much of the Ragusa coastline and countryside, and the spectacular sunsets that never fail to leave visitors speechless.

In recent years, the farm has been recognized as a municipal venue where civil wedding ceremonies can be held. For this purpose, they created ‘Affetto serra’, a format dedicated to weddings that includes the civil ceremony, catering services organized by Rita, and plants as wedding favours for guests. Rita also offers cooking classes, not only on the farm but also in New York, the city of her birth, where she returns during the winter. Gli Aromi by Enrico Russino and Rita Russotto is a place where culture, cultivation, and cooking come together to provide guests with an unforgettable experience.

Gli Aromi - C.da Santa Rosalia – 3420616781 - Sito