Alba Truffle Hunt: Family-Friendly Experience and photoshoot in Piemonte
In the North-West corner of Italy, sitting above Liguria (the Italian Riviera) and separated from France by the Alps, is Piemonte (Piedmont in English). It’s a lesser-known region that typically only attracts tourists to Lake Maggiore, the mountains or for gourmet food and wine experiences in The Langhe.
The Langhe, a UNESCO heritage site, is home to some wines you might be familiar with;
Moscato d’Asti
Barbera
Barbaresco
Dolcetto
and the world-class red, Barolo
In this same area is the Ferrero factory making the world’s supply of Nutella from the hazelnuts that grow in every square inch that is too low to grow vines! Those hazelnut groves provide the perfect growing conditions for truffles!
Like the hills of Tuscany and Umbria, the black truffle grows almost year-round, but what makes this region unique is the internationally renowned white truffle of Alba. The rare white truffle with its distinct, strong flavour, is only found in autumn making it 10x the price of the black truffle! Last year they fetched up to €6000 per kilo!
Among all this gourmet food and wine, you may be wondering what family-friendly activities there are in the Langhe?
Or perhaps you just want to build a break from wineries into your itinerary!
How about foraging for truffles?
I recently joined a young family on their guided truffle hunt just outside Alba and I highly recommend it. It was so lovely to head into the countryside, dig in the dirt and learn all about the truffles!
You need a trained dog in order to find truffles, and it’s a lucrative market so it’s important to go with a trusted professional if you catch my drift. Luckily for you, I now know just the team! Renzo is a passionate local who has spent his entire life out in the woods foraging for truffles. He has two Lagotto Romagnolo, the typical “truffle dog”. The older one, 13 year old Gigi joined us on our hunt and he certainly didn’t disappoint!
During the hour experience, Gigi found at least four truffles. Renzo showed us how to dig up two of them- even encouraging the boys to have a go themselves. The other two he had Gigi “leave” because there’s no need to over-collect!
I was so impressed by Renzo’s knowledge, but also how well he involved the kids who were clearly fascinated by his stories and his dog!
Throughout the experience, I stayed at a distance and documented the memories this family were creating. While Gigi was searching for more truffles, I took advantage of the relaxed vibe to play some “games” in order to create some candid family portraits too. That’s the best thing about incorporating an activity into your family vacation photoshoot- the environment allows everyone to completely relax and that is always reflected in the photos- even for the most camera shy!
See the entire experience and photoshoot in the slideshow below!
If you’re looking for a unique, family-friendly experience in the Langhe, you can’t beat a truffle tour. Not only is it fascinating to see how the trained dogs work, but it also gives you an opportunity to enjoy some of the Italian countryside.. and in Piemonte, that means hazelnuts and vines.
This truffle hunt was guided by Renzo (and his dog Gigi), and organised by Giulia and Alex (also the translators) who own the gorgeous store, Éleat Tartufi in Alba.
Renzo & Gigi | Alba Truffle Hunters
Renzo’s private hazelnut grove is the perfect place to find truffles. When I asked him how long he’s been a “Trifolao” (truffle hunter) he
told me, “Forever. I wasn’t born in a hospital. I was born in my family home up there on the hill. I’m a real countryman.”
Between Renzo’s passion and experience, and Gigi’s well-trained nose, you’re in good hands (and paws!) for your Truffle experience in Alba!
P.S. I do not receive any commission for this blog post I just wanted to share our great experience with you all!
Hi, I’m Kirstie
Photographer and Australian expat living her best gelato life
Love of my husband (but mostly of cheese) brought me to Italy in 2020. He was desperate to be back with his Italian family. And honestly, what Aussie girl could pass up the chance to move to the land of pizza and gelato?! (Seeing a food theme here?)
My decade of photography experience was inspired by a trip of a lifetime. My grandparents took me on a trip to Europe when I was a teen, then gifted me an album so I’d never forget it. That album quickly became a staple of family visits and storytime.
When I moved to Italy, I was surprised how rare that type of printed keepsake is for the locals. It’s quite literally a foreign concept - tourists won’t find that type of session here.
It inspired me to recreate an experience for others as deeply meaningful to them as my grandparent’s infamous vacation album has been to me.
Read more about my grandparent’s legendary vacation album! →
So that’s my mission with Classico Portraits: to provide the same timeless centrepieces for families like yours visiting Italy.
Are you coming to Italy with your family? Let’s customise a photoshoot experience to suit you and your personality!