Underneath the Willamette Valley’s forests in the dead of winter, there is a world teaming with life and an underground home to one of our state’s prized delicacies: the wild Oregon truffle. As with their French and Italian cousins, chefs delight in the season when this fabulous fungi makes its way into their kitchens and onto your plate.
Oregon truffle season runs from about late January through March, when truffles ripen and foragers, led by their trained truffle dogs, hunt and harvest them for cooks and restaurants. Taste Newberg’s Truffle Trail will guide you to the spots where you can experience this rare and wonderful ingredient from February to March, here in the heart of wine country. This time of year is also Cellar Season, when wineries host intimate tastings and The Allison plays host to the Chardonnay Celebration and Cuvée Stroll – perfect pairings for a food and wine vacation itinerary in the area.
Truffle Immersion
For the true lover of all things truffle (and amazing food and wine) The Allison Inn & Spa is offering two unforgettable weekend experiences which include chef prepared dinners, exclusive truffle hunts, two nights at the luxury hotel, and more. These decadent immersions will take place over the weekends of Feb. 9-12 and March 22-25, 2024. The Dundee Hotel is also offering a truffle package, and additional truffle lodging packages are available at Chehalem Ridge.
A Taste of Truffle
On Saturday, March 9th, the first annual Taste of Truffle event will be held at the Chehalem Cultural Center. Expect a full day of tastings, vendors, and demonstrations dedicated to all things truffle.
Truffle Hunting
Black Tie Tours opens the door to the once secret world of truffle hunting each winter with their twice weekly truffle tours, departing from downtown Newberg. Trained truffle dogs lead the group to find the elusive mushrooms, followed by a meal on site where you’ll taste them for yourself. The Rustic Truffle Tromp includes a truffle hunt through a more rugged forest, ending with a casual meal of soup, sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie. The Bougie Truffle Tromp takes an upscale turn, with a chef-prepared lunch co-hosted by a guest Willamette Valley Winemaker pouring their wines.
More Stops on the Truffle Trail
Restaurants, cafes and wineries in Newberg, Dundee and surrounding areas in the Willamette Valley will feature truffles on their menus throughout truffle season.
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Good Company Cheese Bar & Bistro will feature a truffle cheese fondue on their dine-in menu, and their cases will be stocked with truffle cheese, charcuterie, and pantry items.
Miss Hannah’s Gourmet Popcorn will bring back their seasonal truffle popcorn, as well as a newly developed truffle parmesan flavor they can’t wait to debut.
Newbergundian Bistro will feature Oregon truffle specials throughout the season from Chef Sean McKee.
Subterra Kitchen + Cellar will feature their “Truffle Shuffle” menu — a full truffle taste experience from cocktails infused with truffles to their beloved Oregon truffle ice cream. A coursed menu and à la carte offerings will be available throughout the month of February.
Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery will offer their annual La Truffe beer, an award-winning, low ABV stout made with Oregon truffle-infused hazelnuts.
Wooden Heart Kitchen, the newly opened bistro in downtown Dundee, will feature an Oregon Truffle Pizza (olive oil, mozzarella, celery root, crispy cauliflower, camembert cheese, chives, shaved Oregon truffles) and a Truffle Ice Cream Sandwich (wildflower honey sugar cookie, house made truffle ice cream, Baird Farms hazelnuts) during truffle season
Experience truffles at these local businesses throughout the area, and check back for more participant updates…