The Pettino Epicurean Experience
Timeless Country Traditions for all your Senses
Immerse yourself in the culinary and cultural traditions of our Umbrian family, our centuries-old farm and ancient village with the Pettino Epicurean Experience
DISCOVER THE EXPERIENCE
Umbrian Hospitality
The Pettino Epicurean Experience will touch all your senses with its welcoming hospitality, stunning scenery and rich flavors in a part of Italy far away from the usual tourist trails. Unwind and regenerate your mind, body and appetite with our authentic and exclusive family food experience in a rustic and unspoiled setting.
Our extended family will exclusively give you their undivided attention, indulging you and guiding you through 3 nights and 4 days and through every part of your Umbrian culinary and cultural adventure.
Truffles & Truffle Hunting
An authentic and fascinating experience where you will immerse yourself in the flavors, secrets and wonders of Umbrian truffles. Luca will be your private truffle hunter on this truffle hunting experience in the stunning Umbrian countryside.
Since a very young age, Luca has been truffle hunting in Umbria and Italy, his knowledge having been passed down to him through generations of family truffle hunters. He has many highly trained dogs, who just love their job of sniffing out the precious Umbrian truffles.
Here in Pettino we are very unpretentious about truffles, and hunting and eating truffles are just part of our everyday life. You might just be surprised how many truffles we can find. Sometimes it takes longer to find them, sometimes it happens very fast, but truffle hunting in Italy – Pettino style – is about a long, relaxed stroll, with great views in every direction, pleasant company, amazing dogs and having great fun.
A Shepherd’s Life
You will explore the countryside and soak up the farm’s timeless atmosphere, incredible landscapes and stunning views. You’ll join the family shepherd on an unforgettable stroll as he grazes the flock of sheep through the fields and mountains making sure they are well fed and keeping them safe from the wolves.
The shepherd’s job is to milk the sheep in the morning, take them to the mountains and fields surrounding the village where they graze and wander all day long, before returning them home again in the evening. It is a very poetic life, full of amazing scenery, peace and quiet and lots of very big and very friendly white wolf dogs for company.
You will also experience some great food and wine while out strolling – we will serve you a delicious traditional shepherd’s lunch in a very panoramic and picturesque spot.
Pecorino Cheese
The family is famous for their incredible pecorino cheese and Francesca, the expert cheese maker, will introduce you to her skill and knowledge and – of course – the unforgettable flavors. You can see how it’s done from beginning to end and discover the subtleties and experience required to make a quality pecorino cheese.
In the cheese-making room Francesca will not only make unpasteurized pecorino cheese but also fresh sheep’s milk ricotta with the most delicate, exquisite flavor that few have the opportunity to experience.
You will also visit the 900 year old cheese aging room, see the aging process and taste cheeses from 2 months to more than a year old. The cheese aging room is quite an experience just by itself, and you will learn some excellent ways to enjoy true pecorino cheese as well as how to pair it with excellent Umbrian wines.
Traditional Pasta
Giovanna the grandma and Francesca the up-and-coming-expert have inherited the family traditions when it comes to making fresh pasta.
It’s all handmade – and by handmade we mean from start to finish with no machine – including a visit to the chicken-run to collect the morning’s eggs. Giovanna’s specialty is gnocchi while Francesca is an expert at tagliatelle, but they are both amazing to watch and love to chat and laugh with you while they’re making pasta.
Not only will you learn to make the fresh pasta, but you also get to eat some amazing traditional dishes, experience a true Italian kitchen, an antique pasta room, while enjoying the bubbly company of two very important members of the family.
You can join in and try it first hand or just sit back and watch and learn. Either way you will get to taste it and pair it with some great local wine.
Local Recipes
The village has no shortage of cooks and they’re more than happy to share their secrets with you on mastering traditional dishes. Not only will you taste some fantastic local food but you can also learn recipes, techniques and traditions handed down over the centuries. You can roll up your sleeves and join in and partake as much or as little as you please.
Nearly all the ingredients will be from our village and land from the wild meat to our own beef, lamb, pork, fresh seasonal vegetables, herbs and homemade cheese.
You will learn a number of different recipes from primi pasta dishes to secondi meat and vegetables, as well as an array of antipasti such as bruschetta and the tricks of selecting an excellent prosciutto.
You can experience cooking with different members of the family from the old and wise to the young and talented.
Wine & Dine
Each meal of the Pettino Epicurean Experience is staged in a unique setting around the village for a unique dining pleasure.
We’ll serve each lunch and dinner in a different location each with their own character and atmosphere, from private kitchens, to hidden wine cellars, outdoor areas, our renowned local family restaurants and the Lodge’s own amazing kitchen.
It’s a journey of discovering not only what you will eat, but also where you will eat and the people that will host you.
Exclusive, Luxurious Lodgings
Your Pettino Epicurean Experience includes three nights in one of our exclusive luxury suites at the Black Truffle Lodge.
The lodgings are spacious and beautiful with an amazing mix of contemporary, natural and traditional design. Each suite exudes a relaxing, pastoral atmosphere with many details and touches that will make your stay all the more pleasing to the senses.
It has a large bedroom, a spacious living room and an amazing bathroom with your own big, private Jacuzzi. Your suite also comes stocked with a rack of local wine, Prosecco and cuts from our homemade cured meats such as salami or capocollo.
And best of all Fabiola, one of the family, will be there to look after you and make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Pricing
The Pettino Epicurean Experience includes:
- Private Truffle hunting tour
- Shepherding day with picnic on the estate
- Pasta making lessons
- Pecorino cheese making lessons with Francesca
- Hands on cooking lessons of traditional Umbrian recipes
- 3 nights accommodation at the Black Truffle Lodge
- All meals and wine
- Transfers from Rome, Florence, or anywhere in Umbria with a private driver
€4500 for 3 nights all-inclusive for up to two adults. Up two children 17 years of age or less will enjoy the Epicurean Experience for free.
Check-in will be 3pm on your day of arrival. Check-out will be 11am on your day of departure.
Book the Pettino Epicurean Experience
We have limited availability for the epicurean experience throughout the year, so we suggest to book in advance.
Before sending your booking we suggest to read through the important information below. If you have further questions you will have a chance to ask during your booking request.
Transport with Chauffer
If you prefer not to drive yourself, then we are happy to send a driver to pick you up and bring you to our village of Pettino. We work with very professional drivers with a very high standard of vehicles. We will arrange to have you picked up from anywhere in Umbria, Rome, or Florence.
The Season
All year round. Some activities are not available at certain times of year but we will find a substitute. We will confirm the availability of activities for the dates you request during your reservation.
Attire
We suggest you bring suitable attire for cold and wet weather outdoor activities.
For truffle hunting and shepherding, you must be able to walk in the countryside comfortably.
Dietary needs
We need to know any dietary restrictions in advance, such as allergies or if you suffer from an intolerance. We are happy to cater for special diets such as gluten free, and we can also accommodate vegetarians and vegans.
Animals
Throughout your stay in the village you will be around different animals—cats, dogs, sheep. Since this is the countryside there are also bugs and insects—but not too many.
Payment
For the year 2022 we don’t require a deposit to confirm your booking. Simply pay the full amount on arrival in Pettino.
We accept major credit cards or cash.
Policies
There is no penalty for cancellations.
If you need to change or cancel your booking please notify us as soon as possible. Notifying us of any changes helps us to prepare each experience.
Changes or cancellations can be made by calling +39 333 498-5387 or emailing us here.
Important Information
You must have your own insurance. On arrival you will need to sign a liability waiver.