Oregon Truffle Festival

Eleventh year, three weekends

Last year's tenth anniversary had the event expanding into two weekends and several destinations. Fantastic! But wait, there's more! In the 11^th year, it's expanding to three fungi-filled weekends in January 2016 (16-17, 22-24, 29-31), plus additional experiences.

For those seriously into finding truffles in nature, the Joriad ä North American Truffle Dog Championship is back for its second year. The canine competition will take place on Saturday, January 16. Willamette Valley Vineyards is the presenting winery sponsor this year and will also host the Joriad ä Awards Gala on January 17. Guests can meet the Joriad ä finalists and enjoy small plates featuring Oregon black and white truffles paired with Willamette Valley Vineyards wines.

Photo by David Barajas: happiest dog ever, 2015

January 22-24 in Newberg/Yamhill Valley will have guests choosing from two weekend ticket packages, the Terroir of Truffles ($500) and Bringing it Home ($450). Both include a Friday afternoon welcome reception in Portland and shuttle to Newberg; Friday evening's Shaved & Infused sensory immersion in Oregon truffles; the Walk-Around Dining Gala filled with dishes prepared by regional chefs, each showcasing two dishes that use black and white truffles, plus Oregon beer, wine and spirits, and dance music; and Saturday morning breakfast.

Here they diverge, with the Terroir of Truffles offering a Saturday truffle foray and extended winery luncheon, including transportation. This is an authentic truffle hunt lead by professional truffle hunters and their dogs, followed by a winery luncheon.

Bringing it Home offers a Saturday hands-on cooking with truffles class and multi-course truffle luncheon with wine, followed by an afternoon tour and tasting at Oregon Olive Mill and Red Ridge Farms with transportation included. The class will be held at Argyle Winery with two guest chefs.

Photo by John Valls: Wild Side 2015

Whatever weekend package guests choose, they all end up together on Sunday at the Oregon Truffle Marketplace.

Separately, you can purchase tickets to the Black & White Saturday evening restaurant dinner series featuring Oregon truffles with wine pairings hosted by five exceptional Yamhill Valley restaurants. In addition, a la carte tickets are available for the Newberg Fresh Truffle Marketplace.

Marquee events end the festival in Eugene with the Grand Truffle Dinner on January 30, a six-course truffle-filled meal prepared by celebrated chefs with Oregon wine pairings; the Truffle Growers Forum January 29-30, which brings together truffle experts to go over what's happening in the industry; the Truffle Dog Training Seminar January 29-30, a hands-on opportunity for guests to train their dogs to detect the scent of truffles; the Eugene Fresh Truffle Marketplace on January 31, bringing together fresh Oregon truffles, regional wines, artisan foods, and craft products; and To Market, To Market on January 29, a new walk-around dining event.

Photo: David Barajas: Marketplace 2015

A complete list of events, participants, and ticket information is available at www.oregontrufflefestival.com. Ticket information can be found on the website. Depending on which events you want to attend, you can pay from $15 to $1000 (single event to the whole experience).

Conditions that make Oregon such a great grape-growing/wine-producing area also make it perfect for both native and cultivated European species of truffles. Oregon truffles equal (and some think exceed) the quality of truffles from France and Italy. You can see the similarities in locations of growing regions on the map. Northwest chefs are using these truffles to add a unique local flavor to their cuisine; Oregon truffles have become a treasured ingredient.

The intent of the festival is not just about appreciating, learning about, tasting and savoring the truffle (with wine, of course). It has even more serious designs as well: helping advance truffle cultivation, production and distribution; stimulating ongoing mycological research; engaging the culinary community; and driving Oregon tourism in the slower season. Food, fun, wine and laughter: it's all there for you at the Oregon Truffle Festival.

If you haven't attended this event, founded in 2006 by mycologist Dr. Charles K. Lefevre and his wife, Leslie Scott, and you love truffles, make this the year. It's a fascinating and delicious look at an industry and region close by.

Oregon Truffle Festival
PO Box 5275
Eugene, OR 97405-0275

leslie@oregontrufflefestival.com
www.oregontrufflefestival.com

Connie Adams/October 2015