Truffle hunts & lunch with truffles
Truffle hunts are full of surprises from the incredible talents of our hunting dogs to the history and fanciful stories of truffles. Estimates that dogs’ sense of smell is up to 100,000 times more powerful than humans is easy to believe watching our dogs find truffles invisible to the eye. The opportunity to carefully dig around their find and smell the aroma is a heady experience for truffle lovers, and the truffle curious. Hunt start times vary according to the packages selected, but all hunts take approximately two hours. Truffle lunches are served at our partner restaurants.
Note also our special event lunches at Montalto & Pt Leo and also the Gather & Dine late lunches on Sundays.
Montalto X Red Hill Truffle
From $199 per person | 2 hours hunt | Lunch at Montalto Winery
A special weekday or weekend indulgence, truffle hunting in Red Hill is an immersive experience in a hidden pocket of the Mornington Peninsula. The farm, with a truffiere of more than 2,500 oak, hazelnut and pine trees, ringed by native bush, is invested in sustainable farming of the coveted truffles.
Each step with the truffle hunting dogs and their knowledgeable guides is a fascinating glimpse into truffle cultivation and the surrounding environment. Lunch at the peninsula’s award-winning Montalto Winery nearby is a showcase for truffle dining and the region.
Truffle Hunt & Truffle Pizza by the Epicurean Red Hill
$185 per person | 2 hours for the hunt | Pizza at The Epicurean Red Hill
Putting on gumboots, kneeling on the ground (with kneeling pad) and digging up truffles is an unconventional introduction to the effort that goes into making a very special pizza. But this serious fun contributes to the unparalleled enjoyment of a gourmet pizza lunch at the Epicurean Red Hill Restaurant.
The truffle hunt with expert guides and talented hunting dogs, is an exciting way to experience life on a working farm and learn about truffles, as well as being great fodder for discussions over a delicious lunch.
Truffle Hunt with Truffle + Pinot Tasting
Tasting truffles with wines that highlight and enhance their flavour are moments to savour. This winter the Red Hill Estate winery has selected pinot noirs for truffle-hunting guests to enjoy with truffle cheese and wood-fired pizza covered with shaved truffles. The warming reds with their earthy tones and elegant tannins, are also very welcome on a cold day after hunting in the truffiere with our truffle dogs, harvesting a truffle or two and preparing them to eat. Free flowing conversation informed by expert insights into the world of truffles adds to this special farm and winery event. Gluten Free option available.
$199 per adult | Hunt 2 hrs | Red Hill Estate Pinot
Truffle Hunt & Lunch at Max’s
$202 (12yrs+); $105 Under 12 | 2 hours hunt | Lunch at Max’s Restaurant at Red Hill Estate
A truffle-inspired lunch prepared by a talented chef, served in a dining room overlooking the Red Hill hinterland is a welcome retreat and an idyllic setting to relax following a truffle hunt. Truffle hunts include an introduction to truffle farming in Australia before joining truffle-hunting dogs to find and harvest truffles. The earthy truffle aroma that changes as the truffles are scrubbed, dried and served is intoxicating. A two-course truffle lunch at Max’s Restaurant celebrating 30 years on the peninsula, adds another delicious and memorable dimension. Vegan and Gluten Free options available.
Truffle Hunt & Truffle Tasting
$179 per person | Family sessions available
Home-made pizza is a delicious & simple way to tell a story about local produce, especially when it’s freshly harvested and served.
Understanding the years involved in the cultivation of truffles, the time it takes to train hunting dogs, kneeling on the ground to harvest the knobbly fungi and preparing them to eat, adds a whole new element to enjoying a wood-fired pizza with shaved truffle. Truffle hunting combined with truffle pizza is a gourmet dish everyone can enjoy.