We’re already reaching into the deepest levels of our winter wardrobes, which means we’ve got plenty of frosty mornings ahead. But on a more delicious note, it means truffle season is here.
From eating them, to hunting them and even cooking them – here’s where to get your truffle on in Canberra this year:
EAT
Contentious Character (810 Norton Rd, Wamboin) The Wamboin vineyard is a hub of truffle activity this year. Every Saturday and Sunday from June 22 – August 3, enjoy a truffled three course lunch with or without matched wines, plus there will be dishes on the regular menu given the truffle treatment if you just want a taste. On Sunday June 30, head chef Tom Stoneham will lead a truffle workshop complete with two course lunch and wines out on the sunny deck ($90 per person), and on Saturday August 3 at 6:30pm, Blue Frog Truffles and Contentious Character will team up for a five course truffle degustation ($100 per person). And if you want to take the whole family, head to Contentious Character on Saturday June 22 for a truffle dog demonstration and talk on the lawn, followed by a two course lunch ($50 adults, $30 kids). For all bookings and tickets, click here.
Otis Dining Hall (29 Jardine St, Kingston) If there’s one venue that really knows their stuff when it comes to truffles, it’s Kingston’s Otis Dining Hall. Indulge in a three course truffle lunch (from $60) or dinner ($80). Available from May 28. Click here to book.
Sage Dining Rooms (Batman St, Braddon) Sage is teaming up with The Truffle Farm for a special degustation menu. Over eight truffled courses you’ll feast on oysters, wasabi sesame tuna, mushroom agnolotti, smoked dry aged duck and more, finishing with truffle ice cream, then truffle brie. Available from June 4, the degustation is $120 per person. Book here.
Mount Majura Vineyard (88 Lime Kiln Road, Majura) From late June, taste truffles every weekend as part of the wine tasting at Mount Majura Vineyard. Even better – they’re fresh from next door at The Truffle Farm. As you taste a flight of three wines, enjoy Flinders Estate triple cream brie layered with fresh slivers of truffle. The tasting is $35 per person, and takes about an hour. Book your tickets here.
Hyatt Hotel Canberra (120 Commonwealth Ave, Canberra) Every Thursday night during July, Hyatt Hotel Canberra is celebrating local truffles, matched up with wines and even a special champagne dinner. Each dinner includes a four course black truffle menu with matching wines from Brokenwood Wines on July 4 ($145 per person), Robert Oatley Wines on July 11 ($145 per person), Ruinart Champagne on July 18 ($175 per person) and Nick Spencer Wines on July 25 ($145). For bookings call (02) 6269 8901.
Hotel Kurrajong (8 National Circuit, Barton) On Saturday June 15, head to Hotel Kurrajong for a five course truffle dinner, with truffles from Macenmist Black Truffles, and matched wines from Long Rail Gully Wines. Tickets are $149 per person – book here.
COOK
Foodish (Belconnen Markets, 14 Ibbott Ln, Belconnen) Take your truffle appreciation to a whole new level by learning to cook with them. Truffle Magic is a hands-on class on how to incorporate truffles into your cooking to showcase their exquisite flavour. You’ll cook up a truffle soufflé, followed by Beef Wellington with port and madiera jus, truffled gratin dauphinoise potatoes and seasonal vegetables, and finish with truffle ice-cream and a decadent chocolate chestnut roulade. At the end, you get to sit down and dine on the three courses you have created – you can even add matched wines. Classes are on July 7, and August 4 and 11 from 12.30-4.30pm. $120, or $140 with matched wines. Book here.
HUNT
Get the full experience and head on a truffle hunt. Follow the truffle dogs as they sniff around and expertly find the truffles that are ripe and ready to pick. Even better – the hunts usually finish with a tasting or two. Just a short drive from Canberra, you can head on hunts at Tarago Truffles, Turalla Truffles, Macenmist Black Truffles and Wines, Blue Frog Truffles, and L’Air du Wombat Truffles. You can even go on a hunt without leaving town at The Truffle Farm. Make sure you rug up, and this is also a great occasion to pull out those gumboots you never wear.
TOUR
Come along on Eat Canberra Food Tour’s first Truffle Hunt and Tasting Tour. We’ll take you to a truffle farm where you’ll go truffle hunting while learning more about truffles from the experts. After you’ve worked up an appetite, we’ll drive you to one of the many amazing wineries in the region where you will enjoy a wine tasting of 10 wines, a shared grazing platter and a 2-course meal that highlights truffles at an incredible Canberra region winery.
You will also sample a range of truffle food and beverage products including truffle vodka from a Canberra distillery, truffle beer from a Canberra brewery, truffle ice cream and more.
Tickets are $229 per person and the tours will be held on Saturday 20th July and Saturday 3rd August. Find out more and get your tickets.
All photos by Eat Canberra.
