European black truffles are the most sought after truffles in the culinary world. Incurring minimal farming costs, truffle orchards are both highly profitable and an excellent way to diversify land usage. Current black truffle production is almost exclusively in Europe, but with proper science, these truffles are now being successfully cultivated in select areas around the world, including North America.

Designed for potential truffle growers, this in-depth seminar, presented by American Truffle Company’s Chief Scientist Dr. Paul Thomas and Chief Truffle Officer Robert Chang, provides a detailed overview of the basic science and methodology involved in truffle cultivation, along with the business factors one must consider to successfully grow truffles.

Also included is a dog training session by CPDT-KA certified expert dog trainer Alana McGee who will talk about dogs' integral part in harvesting truffles: "there is no better machine to sniff out mature truffles than the highly sensitive nose and the extreme mobility of a properly trained dog."

The program concludes at Robert Sinskey Vineyards Truffle Orchard where vineyard/orchard manager Kari Flores will provide insights into managing the first scientific truffle orchard planted in the Napa Valley area.

Includes buffet lunch, truffle orchard tour/dog training demo at Robert Sinskey Vineyards Truffle Orchard and bus transportation.

Financial Times...Truffles are highly prized as a delicacy; one sold in New York in 2014 for more than, $60,000. Unfortunately the elusive fungus has long proved difficult to grow outside its natural habitat- until now. Nicola Davison meets the British scientist [Dr. Paul Thomas, American Truffle Company] who sniffed out a culinary opportunity… read more.