The history of the ‘cerca’ in Gubbio and the experience on a farm

The history of truffle hunting in Gubbio is a tale woven from legendary figures and curious anecdotes, such as that of the merchants who, between the 19th and 20th centuries, shipped truffles in wicker baskets lined with jute as far afield as New York, or the famous consignment destined for the galley of the ocean liner Andrea Doria. To truly understand this world, the unmissable experience is a morning excursion into the woods of the Eugubino-Gualdese area with a local truffle hunter, to observe the dogs’ work at close quarters and learn how to gauge the moisture content of the soil. For the perfect day trip to Gubbio, we recommend starting the morning by exploring the historic centre and Via dei Consoli, followed by lunch featuring scrambled eggs or tagliatelle with white truffles, before spending the afternoon meeting a truffle hunter or visiting the Truffle Market, and rounding off the evening at one of the historic taverns such as the Taverna del Lupo, the Officina dei Sapori, the Locanda del Tartufo or, if you head to Santa Maria di Burano, Da Baffone. Well worth noting is a visit to the estate of the Counts Spalletti Trivelli (Cantina Pomario), nestled between the Orvieto hills and Lake Trasimeno. This is an ancient 17th-century farmstead now dedicated to organic farming of the highest standard. Pomario welcomes visitors at the most magical time of the year: the grape harvest and the winemaking process in the new underground cellar. Here, the autumn programme combines guided tastings of wine and extra virgin olive oil, lunches amongst the golden rows of vines, truffle-hunting excursions in the estate’s woods, and convivial gatherings centred around Umbrian cuisine.