Gembrook Truffles, food and drink tasting teacher

Gembrook Truffles

Gembrook Truffles

local_activity classes: Food and Drink Tasting

5.0 (17)

Our dream of growing truffles started in 2007 when truffle growing was still relatively new in Australia. At this time, there was a lot of missing knowledge and much experimentation going on so in 2008, Colin and Nathan travelled to Europe to study the science behind growing truffles. This was an invaluable learning experience and set us on the path to where we are today.

Being a small family run business, we are passionate about growing truffles. Something that sets us apart from other truffle producers is that on our farm in Gembrook we don’t just grow truffles, we also own and run Trufficulture, the premier truffle inoculated tree production nursery in Eastern Australia. We are proud to supply truffle inoculated trees that produce the famous french black, summer black and bianchetto white truffles.

Situated just an hours drive to the east from Melbourne the farm is on some of the best and most pristine soils the country has to offer. Average annual rainfall for the area is 1000mm. Water quality is excellent. Truffles need well drained soils with a sunny aspect and Gembrook provides the ideal requirements.

The farm has 3 plantings of truffle trees. The first block of 270 trees was planted as somewhat an experiment back in 2010. In 2014 (4 years post planting) the first truffle was discovered under a French Oak.

Block 2 was planted in July 2014 – three different truffle species were planted including french black, summer black and bianchetto white truffles, all of which are producing well.

Block 3 was planted in July 2019 with trees inoculated with french black truffle. We are looking forward to finding truffles in this block in the next couple of years.

All of our trees have been grown and inoculated here in our nursery in Gembrook. All three blocks of trees have their differences including types of lime applied, tree density, orientation, pruning and cultivation. There is so much to experience from visiting our farm.






Classes







Reviews

(17)


Natasha Tsalikis Aug 2023


Really fun day! The whole experience was so interesting and I loved that we actually got to dig through the dirt to unearth some truffle treasures. We found some huge ones and they smelled amazing

Jonathan Chan Aug 2023


Best of furry friends and fungi.
I expected to be hunting truffles deep in the forest and getting all muddy. In reality, we were hunting for truffles in an orchard on a gentle slope with expert truffle hunting dog Willow and our hosts Nathan and Claire.
It was a very enjoyable experience where we watched Willow in truffle hunting action while our knowledgeable guide Nathan explained and dug up the truffles. We even got a chance to get our hands dirty to dig up the truffles. It was a fun and easy truffle hunt experience and after which we went to taste truffle dishes at the Hairy Dog Cafe.

Truffle Hunt and Tasting Class review by Jonathan Chan - Melbourne

Paula Fowler Aug 2023


Amazing experience, hosts were so very friendly and knowledgeable. We learnt heaps about truffles and growing and even got the experience to dig up a truffle. Great fun and highly recommend

Lucy Clyde Aug 2023


A fun educational experience with cute dogs … who could ask for a better outing?! Hosts were very welcoming and open to questions. Lots of truffles found - and then purchased!

Luke McCarney Aug 2023


Was a very great experience with lovely people and non-people informative and fun, food afterwards was fantastic!

Truffle Hunt and Tasting Class review by Luke McCarney - Melbourne

Teacher's response

Thanks so much Luke! So glad you enjoyed the experience!

Jessica Poon Aug 2023


Highly recommend Gembrook Truffles. This was my first time truffle hunting and loved how intimate this experience was. A heart warming customer experience from beginning to end.
Loved Willow & Rosie ❤️

Truffle Hunt and Tasting Class review by Jessica Poon - Melbourne

Teacher's response

Thank you, Jessica, for your wonderful review of Gembrook Truffles! We're thrilled to hear that your first truffle hunting experience was enjoyable. Our team takes pride in providing an excellent customer experience from beginning to end. We're glad you loved Willow and Rosie too - they sure know how to make a truffle hunt even more special! Can't wait to have you back again soon! ❤️

Joanne O'Brien Aug 2023


Great day out, with really nice people and dogs and learning something new. Great informative session and hospitality. Easy location to find, with truffles for sale at wholesale prices and the opportunity to dig your own truffle. Scrumptious tasting at the Hairy Dog Café, a supercharged truffle brunch, including beverage and recipe book.

Teacher's response

Thank you, Joanne, for your lovely review! We are thrilled to hear that you had a great day out with nice people and dogs while learning something new.

Joannah Withers Aug 2023


Very informative and relaxed tour. The dogs are awesome
Trading plates after the hunt were delicious

Andy Ly Aug 2023


Truffle hunting was such an amazing and different experience. Staff were lovely and made the experience even better.

Food tasting was good as well

Noeleen O'Shaughnessy Jul 2023


A must do experience for any one who likes good food & something different. Our hosts were a wealth of knowledge & so lovely to be with. However Willow the dog did steal the show:)
Food was delicious & a really great day out had by all.
10 out of 10 experience for me.

Food and Drink Tasting class review by Noeleen O'Shaughnessy - Melbourne

Jo Harris Jul 2023


The truffle hunt experience was fantastic. Nathan and Chloe are so knowledgeable about the entire process, and watching Willow (ablely assisted by pup Rosie) sniff out the truffles was truly amazing! The tasting menu down at the hairy dog cafe is superb. I would recommend this as a great experience.

Truffle Hunt and Tasting Class review by Jo Harris - Melbourne

Jan Kerton Jul 2023


Great fun and delicious food. Love the beautiful truffle dog willow. A delightful birthday gift!

Truffle Hunt and Tasting Class review by Jan Kerton - Melbourne

Weeyang Tan Jul 2023


A really nice and unique experience, Nathan and Chloe are very friendly and knowledgeable and would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in truffles and wants to learn more about how they are grown and harvested

Linda Lin Jul 2023


Great experience with truffle tasting.
Kids had lot of fun with the truffle hunting and digging.
Learn a lot too.

Ceridwen Charters Jul 2023


I absolutely loved the truffle hunting course. Not only did I learn the basics of how truffles grow but we got to go out on their land and find and dig up truffles of our own. It was an incredible experience and after the class, I purchased 2 truffle inoculated trees and after that, I went to a free truffle tasting extravaganza at a local cafe which was incredible. I’d highly recommend this course if you love truffles, it’s an incredible experience

Food and Drink Tasting class review by Ceridwen Charters - Melbourne

Sally O'Donoghue Jun 2023


Nathan and Chloe are amazing guides, and have designed a thoughtful, hands-on, interesting and delicious experience from start to finish. My sister and I loved it. It was very worthwhile! We also loved the truffle dogs, truffle tasting menu, and goodies for purchase - I can't wait to plant my own truffle tree! Thank you, Nathan and Chloe. We wish you every success! If you're thinking about booking a truffle hunt, just do it!

Ruth Tomlinson Jun 2023


Such an amazing day. The hosts were so informative and helpful. We were encouraged to participate and made to feel very welcome. Can not recommend the Truffle Hunt enough.

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