Our journey
Our passion for truffles began after trying them at a degustation in Western Australia. Soon after, we took the opportunity to join a truffle tour on the Mornington Peninsula which inspired our path forward.
Starting a truffle farm ticked a lot of boxes. We were looking for something that would allow us to stay in Beechworth, revitalize and enrich our land, enjoy delicious food and work outside with dogs.
We embarked on three years of research, planning and site preparation. We needed for modify the soil significantly before planting. In 2019, we established our orchard with 350 French Oaks, leading to a proud debut harvest season in 2025.
In 2025 we added Stone pines inoculated with the biachetto white truffle to the farm.
A family affair
Baarmutha Truffles is more than a farm; it's a labour of love. Our family has spent years nurturing this land guided by regenerative farming practices and a deep respect for the land.
The trees were planted in 2019 with the help of our elder generation. The trees were planted the same year our daughter was born and we have watched them grow up together.
Our littlest farmer loves getting involved and has a keen eye and nose for truffles.
The land on which the truffles are growing has had many adventures prior to truffles, including emu farming and cattle grazing.
Baarmutha
Baarmutha is the traditional place name for the land on which we now live, love and farm. It means place of many small creeks. The train used to stop at Baarmutha station just near the Truffiere. Thesedays however you can arrive by car or bike. We are 4km out of Beechworth town centre.
The Nose of the Farm
Dante is a Lagotto Romagnolo - an Italian breed originally assisting their humans with retrieving fowl from lakes. Lagottos have more recently been gainfully employed in truffle hunting.
Because truffles grow underground, their harvest relies on the help of an animal. While pigs have been used in the past, dogs are a preferred these days because they would rather eat their reward treat than eat the truffle.
Dante has been learning truffle hunting since he was two years old, but had to wait until a long time until truffles were ready on his own farm. Dante lives his best life in truffle season!