There’s nothing like hunting truffles by scent. This Chianti hills experience pairs a seasonal truffle hunt in the estate forest with a 3-course lunch where the truffles stay center stage, plus organic wine. The trade-off: you’re not picked up, so if you’re relying on trains, you should budget extra time and money for getting from the station to the farm and back.

I like how hands-on it feels: you’re not just tasting truffles, you’re learning how they’re found. I also like that the day stays small and personal, capped at 20 travelers, so the guide can talk you through what’s happening in the woods. My only big caution is logistics—if you thought the tour would handle transportation, you may end up arranging it yourself.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• Trained truffle dog in the forest: your guide leads the hunt, and the dog’s nose does the heavy lifting
• Real estate experience at Fattoria Lavacchio: truffle hunting happens on the farm, then you eat on-site
• 3-course truffle lunch + wine: your meal is built around fresh truffles and multiple wine tastings
• Small group pace: limited to 20 travelers for a more focused experience
• On-site truffle product shopping: you can pick up truffle items, wine, and extra virgin olive oil
• Transportation isn’t included: start planning how you’ll reach Via di Montefiesole, 52, Pontassieve

How This Truffle Hunt Works in Montefiesole

This is a four-hour, hands-on Tuscan food outing set in the Chianti hills area near Pontassieve. The core idea is simple: seasonal truffles grow underground, and humans have learned to find them for generations by reading the land and using trained help.

Here, you’ll join a local guide for a truffle hunt in the forest on the estate. Then you’ll head to the farm’s agriresort for a truffle-focused lunch with wine.

The big value is that the food isn’t just an add-on. The hunt is part of the meal story, so when you taste truffle dishes later, you understand what you’re eating and why it’s so prized.

Stop 1: Fattoria Lavacchio BIO Winery Forest Hunt

You start at Fattoria Lavacchio AgriResort / BIO Winery area, at Via di Montefiesole, 52, 50065 Pontassieve. From there, you move into the forest of the estate and get into the rhythm of truffle hunting.

Plan for about two hours of active time outdoors. You’ll learn the long-standing tradition of truffle harvesting in Tuscany, and you’ll hear how the guide reads conditions in the woods (the basic logic, not just the folklore). And yes, this is also where you’ll meet the trained truffle-hunting dog that sniffs out the tubers.

One cool detail is that you may be accompanied by Faye the owner during the hunt. If that happens, you’ll likely get an extra layer of farm perspective—how the operation works day to day, and why this matters locally.

What to consider before you go: you’ll want shoes that handle uneven ground. Even if the walk isn’t described as extreme, you’re in a working forest, and comfortable footing makes the experience better.

Stop 2: Fattoria Lavacchio AgriResort 3-Course Truffle Lunch

After the hunt, you shift to the dining part of the day at Fattoria Lavacchio AgriResort. This second stop takes about two hours, and it’s where the morning’s effort pays off on your plate.

Lunch is a three-course meal with fresh truffles, and it’s paired with wine. The tour description notes 3 types of wine tasting during the lunch, so you’re not just having one glass—you’re sampling more than that, with the estate’s organic focus.

This is the moment I’d frame as the main “wow” for most people. If you love food, truffles are one of those ingredients that can be subtle or intense depending on how it’s used, and a farm meal is a chance to experience it across a whole menu instead of a single dish.

A practical tip: truffles can be strong. If you’re sensitive to intense flavors, tell your guide you’d like more balance in how you taste the dishes. (You can’t control the menu, but you can control how you pace yourself.)

Wine Tastings With Lunch: What You’re Actually Getting

The tour includes wine during the lunch, with three types tasted as part of the meal. That matters because truffles pair best when the wine doesn’t fight them.

Since the lunch is described as using the estate’s organic wine, you’re tasting what the farm considers a natural match for its food. It’s also a good way to learn in a low-pressure format: you’re not at a fancy tasting room trying to interpret 15 flavors at once. You’re eating, and you’re learning by noticing how the taste changes as the courses move.

This is also one reason the price can make sense, even before you think about truffle hunting. You’re getting a guided experience plus food plus multiple wine tastings in one block of time.

The Small-Group Advantage (and Who It Fits)

This is a small group semi-private tour with a maximum of 20 travelers. In practice, that usually means you’re more likely to get direct answers from the guide, and you’ll spend less time waiting around for the whole group to catch up.

I also like that it’s suitable for people who want a more authentic food experience without needing specialized knowledge. You don’t need to be a botanist or a foodie to enjoy it; the guide is there to explain what you’re seeing and tasting.

It’s also a strong choice if you’re traveling with kids or teens who enjoy hands-on activities. One thing I’ve found works well with younger travelers is mixing a short outdoor “mission” (find the truffles) with an immediate reward (lunch). It gives the learning a natural payoff.

Price and Logistics: The Part You Need to Plan

At $135.98 per person, this isn’t the cheapest thing in Florence’s orbit. But the value comes from the full package: an English-speaking professional guide, guided truffle hunting, a 3-course lunch with fresh truffles, and three wine tastings.

Where the real cost can surprise you is transportation. The tour doesn’t include hotel pickup/drop-off and doesn’t provide transport to and from the attractions. If you’re coming by train, you’ll likely need to arrange your own ride from the station area to the farm meeting point and back.

One traveler experience made this clear: they had to organize transport after getting to the town listed in the tour information, and the added cost came to €50. You don’t know your route costs until you compare options, so I suggest you price a taxi or shared transfer before you commit.

My advice: treat this as a “you get yourself there” experience. If that’s easy for you, the tour price feels more fair. If you have to scramble on arrival, it can quickly become expensive and stressful.

What to Do Before You Book (So It Feels Effortless)

A few quick prep steps make the day go smoother.

First, if you’re traveling with dietary needs, ask early. A vegetarian option is available, and you should advise at booking.

Second, confirm your meeting point plan. The tour starts and ends back at the meeting point near Via di Montefiesole, 52, Pontassieve (FI), so you need a reliable way to return there at the end.

Third, bring your “outdoor comfort” basics: closed shoes and a layer you can wear in forest air. The tour is only four hours, but you’re outdoors and the ground can be uneven.

Souvenirs on Site: When Shopping Is Part of the Day

You also get time to look for souvenirs on-site, including truffle products, wines, and extra virgin olive oil. This is a practical add-on because you’re buying from a place connected to the food you experienced that day.

I like that this isn’t a rushed stop at a generic shop. You’re still at the estate when you shop, so it feels like a continuation of the experience rather than a separate transaction.

If you’re considering truffle products, keep in mind that they can be expensive. The upside is quality and authenticity; the downside is that it’s easy to overspend if you’re hungry for gifts.

Who Should Book This Truffle Picking and Meal?

Book this if you want a true Tuscany food day, not just a tasting. You’ll get a guided hunt in the forest with a trained dog, then a full three-course meal built around fresh truffles and estate wine.

You’ll especially like it if:

• you enjoy hands-on experiences where you learn by doing
• truffle dishes are a priority and you want more than one taste
• you want small-group attention rather than a large bus-style tour
• you’re okay handling your own transport to the meeting point

Skip it (or at least plan carefully) if:

• you need the tour to handle transportation end-to-end
• you dislike outdoor activities or uneven ground
• you’re expecting a short, easy stroll with no field time

Should You Book This Tour?

I think this is a strong value if you can get yourself to the farm smoothly. The hunt plus a real farm lunch with fresh truffles and three wine tastings is exactly the kind of package that feels worth paying for—because the food story is earned, not just served.

The decision hinges on one thing: logistics. If you’ve already figured out how you’ll reach Via di Montefiesole, 52 and how you’ll get back after, you’re set up for a great day. If you haven’t, price a transfer first—because transportation can turn a good deal into a headache.

FAQ

How long is the truffle picking experience and meal?

It runs for about 4 hours total, including the truffle hunt and the 3-course lunch.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends back at the meeting point at Via di Montefiesole, 52, 50065 Pontassieve FI, Italy.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you’ll need your own transportation to and from the attractions.

What’s included in the lunch?

Lunch is a 3-course meal, and all courses include fresh truffles. The lunch also includes 3 types of wine tasting.

How big is the group?

The tour is a small group semi-private experience with a maximum of 20 travelers.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you request it at the time of booking.

What’s the truffle hunt part like?

You’ll explore the estate forest with an expert guide and join a truffle hunt using a specially trained dog to sniff out truffles.

Is this experience refundable or changeable after booking?

No. It is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

What if the tour is canceled due to minimum travelers?

If the minimum number of travelers isn’t met and the experience is canceled, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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