An acquired taste for some, food from heaven for others, any way you look at it the discovery of a monster truffle at a family vineyard in the Coonawarra is a positive omen for the start of South Australia’s truffle season.
Weighing in at a hefty 602 grams, the truffle was discovered under trees at Billy Brand Winery, located at the northern end of the famous Terra Rossa strip of the Coonawarra.
The winery’s owner, Bill Brand, says finding a delicacy of this size was a huge surprise for him, “It was literally found by accident,” he explains. “I was on the ride on lawnmower about a meter from the trees when I went over a small bump and decided to investigate.”
Bill’s ‘bump’ turned out to be top of the largest truffle ever found on his property, with a market value of around $3000.
The land where the truffle was unearthed was purchased by Bill six years ago. It already had four or five different varieties of oak trees that had been inoculated with truffle spores and it usually takes three to six years for truffles to grow.
“Nature always has a way of rewarding patience, and this beauty was well worth the wait,” Bill laughs. “We found a few smaller truffles last year but nothing like this, and we didn’t even have pigs to help us out!”
Bill has already given two thirds of his truffle treasure to to a local restaurant, Pipers of Penola, as the fungi has a short lifespan. He also intends to partner up with a local olive oil manufacturer to create some truffle infused oils which will be a bonus addition to the opening of their cellar door in the next few months.
Bill’s winery, Billy Brand, is a family run boutique winery that prides itself on producing small batches of premium wine.
The winery only came to fruition a few years ago, despite the fact Bill has worked in the industry since 1966. Along with his father and brother, the trio originally created LAIRA’s wines, establishing vineyards throughout the Coonawarra region and supplying grapes to other producers.
Bill decided to select some of the small parcels of grapes and create his own premium wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Rose, Grenache and a Tannat – a full bodied heavy red that mellows beautifully with age. He currently makes around 400 cases a year.
While there’s no intention to grow much bigger, the cellar door will help customers gain better insight into Bill’s wines. He intends to open it by appointment only at first and then gradually roll out to daily openings.
Finding a bonus truffle amongst his vineyard has been a lovely addition to his family business but Bill says his heart lies with the winery and always will.
Find out more about Billy Brand Wines here.
South Australian Truffles
South Australia’s truffle season runs June through till August and such a significant
discovery so early in the season is making lovers of these pungent delicacies very
excited.
Considered the ‘black diamond’ of the culinary world, truffles prefer alkaline, limerich soils. They can be found in large areas of South Australia—particularly the
Adelaide Hills, Limestone Coast, Fleurieu Peninsula and Clare Valley.
Cool, wet winters provide the perfect environment for these unique type of mushrooms whose notes can vary from earthy and garlic-scented to having hints of
chocolate.
Truffles grow in partnership with the roots of certain trees, especially oak and hazelnut. Some South Australian growers plant their own truffle orchards which mimic European systems.
