Truffle Hunts
In 2011 it didn’t take long to fill our hunts as soon as we announced them. The best way to make sure you get to know as soon as we do, is to put your name on the newsletter list.
Truffle dog Zeta at Blue Frog Truffle Hunt
How do the hunts work? Every weekend from the end of June to the end of July we’ll have hunts at one or more of the of the local truffieres (that’s a truffle growing farm). Most are on Saturday but there will be more Sunday ones in 2012. They usually take place at 10am, we have a small bus that will pick you up from a central location depending on where the farm is. Usually we assemble for a coffee half to three quarters of an hour before (9.15). We prefer using the bus instead of individual cars so that you don’t get lost and to keep the vehicle traffic down at the farm. The growers prefer not to have lots of cars coming to their truffieres for bio-security reasons. It gives us a chance to have an information talk on the way. Or just gossip about truffles.
All bookings need to be paid for in advance via the Booking system with PayPal and credit card payments The price is $60 per person, little kids (14 or under) free. We’re walking across (often wet) grass so you should have sensible shoes and it’s not really wheel chair friendly.
We’ve had to limit the numbers to around 25 because, we want you to get up close to a truffle and see what’s happening., and so we can watch where you’re walking so you don’t step too close to the trees where the truffles growing. You have the option of buying a truffle from the grower (price last year was $2.50 to a gram – we say you’ll need about 4-5 grams per person for a main meal – see our recipe section for suggestions).
After the hunt, and smelling all those truffles, you’ll want to taste them. We had cooking classes at 3seeds most weekends or special dinners but you’re spoiled for choice really as many of the local cafes and wineries have truffle on the menu. See the Hunting for Truffles map. We’re always back in time for them and it’s usually just a short drive to lots of great restaurants with truffles.
Here are some brief profiles of the Truffieres, growers and their hunts. There will be few more in 2012 – so watch this page.
French Black Truffles of Canberra – Mt Majura
Sherry and Gavin McCardle-English are your host growers here. Their truffiere is in the beautiful Majura Valley. The low lying trees certainly get the hours of frost that truffles need but if you rug up, the sun hits the area by the time of our hunt. You’ll love Sherry and her super truffle dog Snuffle. We meet in the Truffle Shed for a talk about growing truffles (and you’ll have the chance to buy a truffle after the hunt)
We’ll probably pickup from Majura Park shopping centre were there’s plenty of parking, or from Fyshwick Markets.
Blue Frog Truffles Sutton
Wayne Haslam is one of the Festival organisers and the first hunts we held were at his truffiere in Sutton. We had special guests like the Japanese Ambassador, and there were always TV crews around at the start of the season. With Wayne here is truffle finder and dog trainer Fran Lee who has now moved to WA (we miss her and dog Sunny). You’ll notice how important the dogs are to truffle hunting, and they could have their own website, they’re that important.
You will also be able to purchase truffle after the Blue Frog hunts.
Terra Preta Truffles Braidwood
Kate and Peter Marshall are our grower hosts at Tera Preta Truffles, a family run truffle farm located south of the historic NSW town of Braidwood.
The truffiere is in a beautiful location and Peter is a renowned arborist and it shows in the oaks and hazelnut trees here. The Marshall’s dog Sal was trained by Fran Lee and works with Kate almost every day in the season.
Our Pickup point for these hunts last year was The Albion cafe in Braidwood. The Marshalls also have a charming B&B in an old bank right in Braidwood, hunt and accommodation is available as a package. We can also recommend other Braidwood B&B’s so why not make that weekend a Terra Preta Foray?
Gap Hills – Tarago
This hunt leaves from Bungendore so you get a scenic drive to the Lake George Hotel where our bus will take you bush. You head towards Tarago, then a dirt road though beautiful snow gums leads you to the highlands landscape surrounding this large truffiere. Established trees and an extensive planting of newer ones make the chance of finding great truffles for both of the hunts here much stronger (they’re a natural produce so there’s always the probability that the season could be early or late). You’ll love Anne and Denzil Sturgiss’ springer spaniel truffle dog Tom, an enthusiastic floppy eared bundle of energy.
These hunts came as’ hunt only’ or with a package of a 2 course truffle pub lunch with a glass of local wine at the Lake George Hotel when you return.
Turalla Truffles – Bungendore
Damian Robinson and his dog Three Spot are your hosts in this truffiere with well-producing trees and new three to four year old ones. The view is out towards Lake George which after our wet summer, even has water in it. (And there’s the view to the wind towers of course.)
This hunt leaves from Bungendore where you’ll be able to have a coffee and the trip is a short one to Turalla Truffles.
