Scientific Truffle Grower Seminar-2025 Napa Truffle Festival

Have you ever been curious about why the truffle business can be so profitable? European black truffle demand far exceeds the supply, and their orchards are highly profitable endeavors. Discover what goes into growing the most sought after food in the world. Although most truffle production is currently found in Europe and Australia, the American Truffle Company® has developed and applied rigorous scientific methodologies to help growers successfully produce and market truffles across three continents, including North America.

Join Chief Scientist Prof. Paul Thomas and Chief Truffle Officer Robert Chang of the American Truffle Company® for an in-depth all-day seminar on the fundamentals of the science and business of truffle cultivation. Gain insights into the scientific and business factors one must consider in successful truffle cultivation from two leading truffle experts. Tour a working truffle orchard and see how dogs are used to find truffles in live demonstrations. Share the excitement of unearthing truffles from the soil! You’ll also be able to meet and speak with truffle growers who are actively producing truffles.

Dogs are an integral part of harvesting truffles. Just like rigorous science is required for successful truffle cultivation, a scientific approach is key to successful dog training. ATC’s partner CPDT-KA dog trainer Alana McGee will demonstrate how truffle dogs successfully hunt and find truffles in the Raymond Vineyards Truffle Orchard.

This full-day experience includes the Scientific Truffle Grower Seminar in the morning, a buffet lunch with fresh black truffles prepared by the Michelin starred La Toque Restaurant, truffle orchard tour and dog training demonstration. This is a milestone year in which we anticipate we’ll be able to use ultra fresh Napa/Sonoma harvested Périgord black truffles for the very first time in our truffle festival history!** Fresh Périgord black truffles will be shaved on your lunch, so you can find out for yourself why they are so sought after! Of course, you’ll also get to taste some amazing Raymond wines as part of the orchard tour!

RAIN OR SHINE! Please dress appropriately for the tour as we will gather rain or shine! If the weather is damp, we recommend boots/mud shoes, rain jacket/hoodie and umbrella.

** We are still in the early years of production so the timing and quantity of locally harvested black truffles are somewhat unpredictable.

Host or Publisher Napa Truffle Festival