There are milestones that cannot be celebrated with a simple company email or a video call. When you reach an important milestone, you have to go back to where it all began.
The weekend of March 20–22, Paesano officially turned 5 years old. Five years of genuine fruits, slow artisanal craftsmanship, challenges and a dream that, born in Sicily, is travelling around the world. To honour this moment, we decided to do the most "paesano" thing possible: we invited all our collaborators here, to our home, in Sicily, to celebrate together.
When we say that those who work with us become part of a family, we don't use words lightly. We wanted to bring the team together to talk about the future, new ideas and work developments, of course, but above all to look each other in the eye and share our love for this land.
And speaking of a family spread all over the world, the weekend kicked off with an exciting surprise: out of nowhere, Agustin landed in Sicily, arriving straight from Buenos Aires! A gesture that filled our hearts and shows how the Paesano spirit knows no geographical boundaries.
Our Saturday began cradled by the sea breeze and the timeless beauty of Cefalù, strolling through the alleyways and past the Norman cathedral, breathing in that ancient air that inspires our products.
But to truly understand Paesano, you have to get your hands dirty. For lunch we headed out with Tony to visit Medisole, our trusted distillery. Here, among the stills and the intense scents of citrus fruits, the team got to experience first-hand what we mean when we talk about "artisanal production without mechanisation". This is where the magic takes shape, drop by drop.
Sicily is tradition, but it is also innovation and vitality. In the evening we immersed ourselves in the beating heart of Palermo. First we let ourselves be tempted by authentic Palermitan street food – because you can't say you've been to Sicily without getting your hands messy with panelle and crocchè – and then we moved on to Sabir, one of the top cocktail bars in the city.
Behind the counters of Sabir we saw how our liqueurs, born from ancient peasant recipes, can be transformed into standout ingredients for contemporary mixology. A wonderful contrast between street food and the elegance of mixed drinks.
If Saturday was about discovery, Sunday was pure and simple celebration. We closed our company retreat in the most sacred way for any Sicilian: with a magnificent "rostuta" (our barbecue).
Fire lit, tables packed, endless laughter and a team that, between one toast and the next, grew even closer. But the true highlight of the day — in colour and in flavour — were the undisputed stars of the grill: the legendary artichokes from Niscemi.
Watching them slowly roast over the embers felt like closing a circle. They are the very same artichokes, grown through ethical farming, that give life to our beloved Alcohol-Free Amaro. From the earth to the grill, to the bottle: authenticity cannot be invented.
We're heading home from this weekend full of energy, with a thousand new ideas buzzing in our heads and the knowledge that we have extraordinary people by our side.
Five years have passed, but the journey is only just beginning. Thank you to everyone who accompanies us every day. Salute Paisà!
