Oregon Truffle Festival Features Folin Cellars

Last year I met Rob Folin and Carole Stevens of Folin Cellars while they were foraging through damp, forested areas in search for the coveted Oregon White Truffles during a seminar for the Oregon Truffle Festival. This year, they are back presenting their wines at the Friday Night Dinner of the festival. Their wines will be paired with a rustic Italian themed feast from Chef Stephanie Kimmel of Marché Restaurant in Eugene.

The 6th Annual Oregon Truffle Festival held January 28-30th, celebrates the magnificent Oregon truffles as they reach the peak of ripeness in their native soil. It is the first festival of its kind in North America, dedicated to sharing the experience of the chefs, foragers and fans of Oregon's wild truffles, from their hidden source in the forest to their glory on the table.

Tickets for the festival sold out very quickly with people traveling in from all part of the world.

However, a Sunday event called the Oregon Truffle MarketPlace and Lecture Series is open to the public. The MarketPlace will be open from 11-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 30th at the Valley River Inn in Eugene. Tickets are $15 and are sold at the door include truffle tastings, artisan foods, fresh truffles, a truffle dog demonstration, lecture series and wine tasting featuring eight of Oregon's outstanding wineries.

2011 Marketplace Wineries:

Brigadoon Vineyards
Folin Cellars
J. Scott Cellars
Noble Estate Winery
Ponzi Vineyards
Sweet Cheeks Winery
Tesóaria/Palotai Vineyard
Willamette Valley Vineyards

Here is video footage from last year's truffle hunt at Willamette Valley Vineyards. This is the only U.S. truffle-trained dog and he was flown in all the way from Tennessee to participate in the renown event.