Since 1920, the Savini Family has been hunting and selling truffles in Tuscany. They’ve created an empire, and The Savini Tartufi brand has become a global leader in the truffle world, distributing fresh truffles and truffle-made foods globally.

Truffles are not cultivated. They grow naturally and must be hunted by their scent. Historically, that job was up to trained pigs. More recently, pigs have been replaced by the Lagotto Romagnolo breed of dog, bred for their wonderful disposition and ability to sniff out truffles.

We were taken on our truffle hunting tour by guide Luca Campinotti and two of his dogs.

We later enjoyed a multi-course lunch, with truffles a part of every course, prepared by none other than Luciano Savini, the family patriarch and owner of Savini Tarturffi.