The Wild Foods Epicurean Experience
Timeless family traditions for all your senses.
Immerse yourself in the culinary and cultural traditions of our Umbrian family, our centuries-old farm and ancient village with the Wild Foods Epicurean Experience.
Discover the epicurean pleasures and the warm and welcoming hospitality of our family that has owned the land in Pettino since the year 1486.
The Wild Foods Epicurean Experience will touch all your senses with its welcoming hospitality, stunning scenery and rich flavors in a part of Italy far away from the usual tourist trails. Unwind and regenerate your mind, body and appetite with our authentic and exclusive family food experience in a rustic and unspoiled setting.
Our extended family will exclusively give you their undivided attention, indulging you and guiding you through 3 nights and 4 days and through every part of your Umbrian culinary and cultural adventure.
Truffles & Truffle Hunting
An authentic and fascinating experience where you will immerse yourself in the flavors, secrets and wonders of Umbrian truffles.
Luca and Alessandro will be your private guides on this authentic and fascinating truffle hunting experience.
Since a very young age, they have been truffle hunting in Umbria and all over Italy and their knowledge and skill have been passed down to them through generations of family. You will enjoy their great company and Umbrian character.
Between them they have many highly trained dogs, with boundless energy, and who just love their job of sniffing out the precious Umbrian truffles.
Here in Pettino we are very unpretentious about truffles: hunting and eating truffles are just part of our everyday life. Actually, you might just be surprised how many truffles we can find in a day’s work. Sometimes it takes longer to find them, sometimes it happens very fast, but truffle hunting in Italy – Pettino style – is about a long, relaxed stroll, with great views in every direction, pleasant company, amazing dogs and a fun and fascinating experience.
Village & Estate
You will explore the family property and farm and soak up the timeless atmosphere, incredible landscapes and stunning views. The best way to do that is to join the family shepherd on an unforgettable stroll as he grazes the flock of sheep through the fields and mountains making sure they are well fed and keeping them safe from the wolves.
The shepherd’s job is to milk the sheep in the morning, take them to the mountains and fields surrounding the village where they graze and wander all day long, before returning them home again in the evening. It is a very poetic life, full of amazing scenery, peace and quiet and lots of very big and very friendly white wolf dogs for company.
You will join Dan our shepherd for an unforgettable experience strolling, relaxing and absolutely unwinding as you follow the flock around the mountains.
Of course, you will also experience some great food and wine – we will serve you a delicious traditional shepherd’s lunch in a very panoramic and picturesque spot.
We recommend leaving your devices at home and really let yourself regenerate.
Handcrafted Umbrian Flavors
The family is famous for their incredible salumi, such as sausage, prosciutto, and salami, as well as their homemade pecorino cheese, made from the milk of their very own flock of sheep. This is a world of traditions, skill, knowledge, and—of course—unforgettable flavors.
Depending on the time of year, you’ll be introduced to the art of creating these unforgettable flavors, following the traditions handed down through generation after generation. Filippo is an expert sausage-maker, and he’ll share the secrets of making the perfect Italian sausage. You may be surprised by how just a few subtle tricks can work so much magic! Francesca is the expert cheesemaker, and she’ll acquaint you with the exquisite flavor of a true homemade, unpasteurized pecorino cheese—something that few have the opportunity to experience.
You’ll also visit the 900-year-old cellar and see how the cheese is aged, as well as other delicacies including our olive oil, wine, and preserves. The cellar is quite an experience just by itself.
Traditional Pasta
Giovanna the grandma and Francesca the up-and-coming-expert have inherited the family traditions when it comes to making fresh pasta.
It’s all handmade – and by handmade we mean from start to finish with no machine – including a visit to the chicken-run to collect the morning’s eggs. Giovanna’s specialty is gnocchi while Francesca is an expert at tagliatelle, but they are both amazing to watch and love to chat and laugh with you while they’re making pasta.
Not only will you learn to make the fresh organic pasta, but you also get to eat some amazing traditional dishes, experience a true Italian Nonna’s kitchen, an antique pasta room, while enjoying the bubbly company of two very important members of the family.
You can join in and try it first hand or just sit back and watch and learn. Either way you will get to taste it and pair it with some great local wine.
Local Recipes
The village has no shortage of cooks and they’re more than happy to share their secrets with you on mastering traditional dishes.
Not only will you taste some fantastic local food but you can also learn recipes, techniques and traditions handed down over the centuries.
You can roll up your sleeves and join in and partake as much or as little as you please.
Nearly all the ingredients will be from our village and land from the wild meat to our own beef, lamb, pork, fresh seasonal vegetables, herbs and homemade cheese.
You will learn a number of different recipes from primi pasta dishes to secondi meat and vegetables, as well as an array of antipasti such as bruschetta and the tricks of selecting an excellent prosciutto.
You can experience cooking with different members of the family from the old and wise to the young and talented.
Wine & Dine
Each meal of the Wild Foods Epicurean Experience is staged in a unique setting around the village for a unique dining pleasure.
We’ll serve each lunch and dinner in a different location each with their own character and atmosphere, from private kitchens, to hidden wine cellars, outdoor areas, our renowned local family restaurants and the Lodge’s own amazing kitchen.
It’s a journey of discovering not only what you will eat, but also where you will eat and the people that will host you.
Luxurious Lodgings
Your epicurean experience includes three nights in one of our exclusive luxury suites at the Black Truffle Lodge.
The lodgings are spacious and beautiful with an amazing mix of contemporary, natural and traditional design. Each suite exudes a relaxing, pastoral atmosphere with many details and touches that will make your stay all the more pleasing to the senses.
It has a large bedroom, a spacious living room and an amazing bathroom with your own big, private Jacuzzi. Your suite also comes stocked with a rack of local wine, Prosecco and cuts from our homemade cured meats such as salami or capocollo.
And best of all Fabiola, one of the family, will be there to look after you and make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Pricing
The Wild Foods Epicurean Experience includes:
- Private Truffle hunting tour with Luca and Alessandro
- Shepherding day with picnic on the estate
- Pasta making lessons with Nonna and Francesca
- Pecorino cheese making lessons with Francesca
- Hands on cooking lessons of traditional Umbrian recipes
- 3 nights accommodation at the Black Truffle Lodge
- All meals and wine
€3750 for 3 nights all-inclusive for up to two adults. Up two children 17 years of age or less will enjoy the Epicurean Experience for free.
Check-in will be 3pm on your day of arrival. Check-out will be 11am on your day of departure.
Book the Wild Foods Epicurean Experience
We have limited availability for the epicurean experience throughout the year, so we suggest to book in advance.
Before sending your booking we suggest to read through the important information below. If you have further questions you will have a chance to ask during your booking request.
The Season
All year round, some activities are not available at certain times of year but we will find a substitute. We will confirm during the booking process availability of activities for the dates you request.
The Weather
Some activities such as truffle hunting and shepherding do depend on good weather. For each day of bad weather that prevents you from doing either of these outdoor activities, we will refund you 20% of the total price.
Temperatures in Pettino during each season can range from:
- -10 C to +5C in the Winter
- 10 C to 30C in the Summer
- 15 C to 25 C in the Fall and Spring.
Gear
Because you will walk through the forests and rugged terrain when truffle hunting and sheep-herding, it would be necessary to wear appropriate gear for these activities, including good outdoor walking shoes, and appropriate weather gear for each season.
You will need shoes suitable for walking in the countryside, runners are usually ok in the summer, but in case of wet ground or bad weather we recommend something sturdier.
The temperature changes a lot throughout the year and we recommend bringing warm enough clothes for the Spring and Fall. We generally wear long pants in the countryside in the summer, but shorts can be ok – it is really up to you.
Dietary needs & allergies
We need to know any dietary restrictions in advance, such as allergies or if you suffer from an intolerance. We are happy to cater for special diets such as gluten free, we can also accommodate vegetarians but your eating experience will be less varied.
Farm animals
Throughout your stay in the village you will be around dogs, Martina the pig and other farm animals.
Also, since this is the countryside are bugs and insects – but not too many.
Payment
Once we confirm availability for the Wild Foods Epicurean Experience we will send you payment instructions. Payments can be made with your credit card using either VISA or MasterCard.
We require a 30% deposit at the time of booking refundable up to 60 days before the start date of your tour. The remainder is payable 60 days prior to your arrival date which becomes 100% non-refundable.
Policies
Remember your 30% deposit is refundable up to 60 days prior to the start date of your tour. Cancellations after this date and payments made towards the booking are not refundable. In case you need to cancel your booking please notify us as soon as possible. Notifying us of any changes helps us with preparing each tour.
Changes or cancellations may be made by calling +39 333 498-5387, or, emailing us here.
Important information
Some further things to know before you book:
- You must have your own insurance.
- On arrival you will need to sign a liability waiver.
- We suggest you bring suitable attire for cold and wet weather outdoor activities.
- For truffle hunting and shepherding, you must be able to walk in the countryside comfortably.
Transport with Chauffer
If you’d prefer not to drive, we can introduce you to a professional NCC (licensed) driver for private transfers to and from Pettino. We work with highly-vetted partners who operate high-standard vehicles and can coordinate pick-ups from anywhere in Umbria, Rome, or the countryside around Florence and Siena. At the end of your Epicurean Experience, the driver can also take you to your next destination.
Please note: All transport is an independent third-party service and is not included in the price of the Epicurean Experience. You will need to pay the driver directly for each journey. When you book, we can facilitate a price estimate from the driver for your specific route.
Please enter your details on the form below and send. We will confirm your booking within 24 hours via E-Mail and send you further instructions, as required.
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