About
Our Truffles
Our Bianchetto (Tuber Borchii) truffles are nurtured carefully in optimum conditions on the roots of our oak, hazel nut and pine nut trees. Our truffles ripen naturally within the sandy soil and have a distinctive, intense and pleasing aroma.
Fresh Bianchetto truffles are carefully harvested in June, July and August from our truffiere in West Melton, Canterbury. Premium flavour and quality assured.
Our production cycle is fully controlled and we are able to provide detailed information at all stages of production to guarantee high levels of safety, honesty and reliability.
Since 2017
Our Journey
Tresillian Truffles started as the Tresillian sheep run in 1851. The sandy soils make it difficult to grow pastures but provide the optimum environment for the Bianchetto Truffle.
Back in 2003 laboratory inoculated Hazel and Oak trees were sourced from Invermay and planted. The Pinus Pinea trees were sourced from Edible Forest Fungi NZ Ltd and a second .85 ha area was planted in 2010.
After purchasing the property in 2017 the Williams family refined the truffierre by giving the trees a facelift. The pine trees, hazelnut trees, and oak trees which the truffle grow on were pruned, allowing more light to reach the truffles.
It was a family effort, everyone was pitching in to remove the branches. With Stephen on the chainsaw, Lisa and their teenage daughters Sarah and Samantha carried and mulched the branches.
Along with Selwyn’s free-draining soils and the addition of lime, it was the perfect environment for the Bianchetto Truffle to grow.
nature
What is a truffle?
Most plant species have, over time, established symbiotic or mutually beneficial relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. The name “mycorrhiza” means “fungus root”. The fungi live in and around the roots of over 90% of the earth’s plant species, effectively operating as a secondary root system.
The fungal hyphae extend a long way out into the soil, extracting mineral elements and water for their host plant, which in turn, provides the fungus with the sugars produced in the process of photosynthesis.
The truffle is the fruiting body formed when the fungal species is ready to reproduce. The ripe truffle carries millions of fertile spore, that may germinate when it breaks down in the soil.
Truffles begin to mature in late autumn or early winter, when aromas form, in readiness for discovery. They reach full maturity during the winter months.
Truffles are found just below, or sometimes breaking the surface, to approximately twenty-five centimeters deep depending on soil structure.
Chosen By Chefs
We are proud to be working with internationally renowned chefs here in NZ and worldwide. We currently export to Japan.
Quality Produce
The quality of our premium fresh Bianchetto truffles has been recognised internationally. The seasonal truffles are also used for innovative Bianchetto products. Let’s go shopping…
Attention to detail
Our production cycle is fully controlled and we are able to provide detailed information at all stages of production to guarantee high levels of safety, honesty and reliability.
Reviews
What Our Customers Say
Brian
Truffle Hunter from Balclutha
“Bess greeted us in the carpark, ready to assist us in finding the truffles. I loved how hands on we were in finding and digging the truffles.
Lisa and Steve are great hosts who passionately shared the mystique behind their truffiere. So pleased we found this unique experience on our trip around the South Island. Highly recommend”
Linn
Truffle Hunter from China
“I have been on several truffle hunts within New Zealand, this is the first time that I have been able to dig up my own truffle! Bess you are amazing! Thanks for helping me find my truffles this afternoon.
Thanks, Lisa, for sharing your knowledge about truffles with me and demonstrating what to look for in quality truffle. The soup was amazing!!! Can’t wait to bring my friend’s out next season”
Lets stay in touch
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Visit Us
3/377 Halkett Road, West Melton, Christchurch, NZ