3 Places to Go Truffle Hunting in the South
Organized truffle hunts are still a novelty in the United States, but these three Southern farms are inviting us into the woods! Image: Facebook / Virginia Truffles
First things first, let’s clear up a common misconception: truffles are not mushrooms. They are a fungus, and while they are closely related, they are not actually part of the mushroom family.
Instead, these fungi are close friends of oak and pine trees, growing underground alongside their roots. They’re incredibly hard to find in the wild, partly due to the obscurity of their location. How can you possibly know which trees might be hiding truffles beneath? That scarcity adds to their appeal. Yes, they’re delicious (is there anything better than a hint of truffle sprinkled atop your piping hot fries?), but they’re also mysterious.
A Little History of Truffles
Truffle hunting first became popular as an amateur activity in Italy, but it has since spread westward to the United States. Unlike mushrooms, which are foraged by strolling through the woods and keeping an eye out for the telltale stems and caps, truffles must be sniffed out. Traditionally, pigs or dogs have been used for the “hunt,” adding another layer of complication to anyone who wants to find truffles on a whim.
Truffle hunts are focused on black truffles, which are easier to cultivate in a “farm” setting (though easier is relative). It’s a long game. Inoculating an area with truffle spores means you’re still five to ten years out from knowing whether you’ve had a successful harvest.
The Pacific Northwest once had a firm hold on truffles as one of the only places in the U.S. where the delicacies could be sniffed out. But now, despite the challenges, the South is getting in on the fungi fun, with three truffle farms currently offering hunts, and more on the horizon.
Here’s where you can get your own taste of Southern truffle hunting and its delicious rewards.
Virginia Truffles | Rixeyville, VA
More Info: virginiatruffle.com
Virginia Truffles is a family-owned farm on 26 acres outside Culpeper, VA. They first inoculated their orchard with Périgord spores in 2008, with a long-term vision that came to fruition after the first harvest ten years later. Fast forward two more years, and they launched an agri-tourism program that takes participants on guided truffle hunts that are both educational and immersive.
Today, Virginia Truffles offers two options for truffle enthusiasts. The first are guided hunts that go out with dogs in search of black truffles, hopefully locating a spot to dig up a few. These hunts end with a taste of truffle dishes and celebratory drinks.
For those looking for an even deeper experience, the second option is a hunt that is paired with a four-course dinner at the Hazel River Inn. Truffles are incorporated throughout the meal, along with wine pairings. Hunts are offered December through February.
NewTown Truffiere | Allen County, KY
More Info: newtowntruffiere.com
The rolling Kentucky hills are home to NewTown Truffiere, a family farm where the owner saw an opportunity and the right conditions to grow truffles. Specializing in the Kentucky Winter White Truffle and the European Winter Black Truffle, NewTown has grown to be one of the largest truffle farms in the United States.
From November to March, NewTown offers guided hunts with two Lagotto Romagnolos (Luca and Lorelei Lee), descended from traditional Italian dogs bred specifically for the purpose of sniffing out truffles. Participants will first learn about truffle growing and harvesting before following the dogs out into the orchards to see what they can find. Of course, the day ends with a tasting experience.
Asheville Truffle Experience | Asheville, NC
More Info: ashevilletruffle.com
The Asheville Truffle Experience, happening from February 6 through 8, is an annual event that explores the emerging truffle-hunting industry in western North Carolina. While there aren’t currently orchards in the area offering regular public truffle hunts, this is an opportunity to see the evolution of truffle farming firsthand.
The weekend takes a deep dive into the truffle-hunting process and the culinary side of truffles with several educational and entertaining events. The fun starts on Friday with a welcome night gathering, featuring truffles as the stars of the show.
On Saturday, participants will head to the local truffle orchard for a demonstration detailing exactly how truffle dogs hunt. The day continues with a truffle tea, truffle cooking class, truffle beer, and movie night. The weekend concludes on Sunday, when participants are unleashed into the wild for a truffle hunt.
On the horizon …
Cultivating truffles is not a quick or easy process, but other farms in the South are currently working on truffle harvesting in hopes of offering guided hunts in the future. The iconic Blackberry Farm launched its truffle program in 2008, with mixed results due to a blight that affected the hazelnut trees hosting the truffles.
A second inoculation attempt in 2020 included both Périgord and Summer truffles on oak trees. If the harvest is successful, guests will be able to truffle-hunt on the property with one of Blackberry Farm’s Lagotto dogs.
Kerith House in Morganton, GA, also hopes to offer truffle hunts in the future. While still in the early stages of preparing a truffière, the hope is that the conditions are right for black truffles to take hold in their soil.
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Heather Bien
A Virginia native and professional writer of over 10 years, Heather is passionate about home decor, cooking and entertaining, travel, ballet, and coffee. You can find more of Heather's work in Southern Living, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Apartment Therapy, and Virginia Living.