Truffle Hunting in Tuscany: Boscone di Forcoli and Savini Tartufi

Truffle hunting in Tuscany is centred on the province of Pisa. One of the best areas is Boscone di Forcoli — a quiet woodland between the Pisan inland and the Chianti hills, with a long tradition of both white and black truffle production. This is a guide to what a truffle hunt here involves, based on time spent with Cristiano Savini of Savini Tartufi.

Cristiano Savini and Savini Tartufi

Savini Tartufi is a family business in Forcoli whose history goes back to the 1960s, when Cristiano’s grandfather Zelindo began trading truffles locally before extending the business to Milan and Piedmont. The company now works with 650 truffle hunters and supplies restaurants and producers across Italy. Cristiano knows Boscone di Forcoli in particular detail — in 2007, he found a white truffle here weighing 1.450 kg, one of the largest recorded in the province.

The Hunt: Seasons and Varieties

Truffles are available year-round in this part of Tuscany, but the variety changes with the season. The White truffle (Tuber magnatum) is a winter product. March brings the Bianchetto (or Marzuolo). Through summer and autumn the Nero Liscio and Scorzone (black varieties) are found. The fragrances change with each type and with the composition of the soil — experienced hunters learn to read both.

The dog is the essential tool. The ideal breed is the Lagotto Romagnolo, originally from Emilia-Romagna and bred specifically for truffle hunting. In practice, any dog with short legs, good musculature, and a strong nose can be trained for the work — what matters most is the training relationship between hunter and dog. For the dog, it registers as play rather than labour.

Booking a Truffle Experience

Truffle hunts in the Boscone di Forcoli area can be arranged through Savini Tartufi by reservation, and run throughout the year depending on the season. The experience includes the hunt in the woodland, handling the truffles, and typically a tasting. Savini Tartufi also collaborates with a group of artisan food producers — including Pasta Mancini, Il Borgo del Balsamico, and La Nicchia di Pantelleria — for combined food and producer experiences.

For truffle hunting experiences during a stay in Florence or Siena, contact us directly. If you are interested in visiting other Italian food producers — Parmigiano Reggiano dairies, balsamic vinegar acetaie, and prosciutto producers in Emilia-Romagna — the Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar tour from Florence is a full day trip covering those producers, reachable by high-speed train in under 40 minutes.