The Festival del Tartufo Bianchetto e del Vino Bianchello del Metauro DOC will return to Fossombrone in March 2026, celebrating two of the Marche region’s most distinctive products over two weekends dedicated to seasonal gastronomy and local winemaking traditions. Fossombrone is a town and commune in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region of central Italy. The two products are the bianchetto truffle, also known as marzuolo or spring truffle, which emerges between January and April in the clay-rich soils of the Metauro Valley. While it is less pungent than its autumn white cousin, it has a delicate garlic-and-honey character, making it one of central Italy’s hidden culinary treasures. Fossombrone sits at the heart of this truffle territory, where hunters and their dogs have been foraging the oak and hazel woodlands for generations. The festival's second highlight is Bianchello del Metauro, a crisp white wine produced exclusively in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. Made primarily from the Biancame grape, this DOC wine has been recognised since 1969 and offers a fresh, mineral-driven profile that elegantly complements the earthy notes of the truffle. Local producers will be present throughout the event, providing tastings and insights into a wine that rarely travels far from its home territory.
The festival transforms Fossombrone’s historic centre into an open-air celebration of regional produce. Expect market stalls selling fresh truffles directly from local hunters, cooking demonstrations by local chefs, and numerous opportunities to taste dishes featuring bianchetto—ranging from simple tagliatelle al tartufo to more elaborate preparations. Wine producers from across the Metauro Valley participate, making this an excellent introduction to a denomination that remains largely undiscovered by most visitors to Italy. The town itself is worth exploring, as it is a former Roman settlement characterized by Renaissance architecture, a striking ducal palace, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that defines small-town Marche.
The bianchetto (Tuber borchii) is a spring truffle with a milder, slightly garlicky aroma. In contrast, the prized white truffle of Alba (Tuber magnatum) appears in autumn and commands significantly higher prices due to its intense fragrance. Both truffles are delicious when eaten raw, shaved over warm dishes. Here an example menu for the Fossombrone Tartufo Festival: truffle credencing every dish whetehr antipasti such as a Frittatta or crostini with truffles or a Primi Piatti Lasagna Brianca with Truffle or Polenta with Truffle or a main such as Roast Beef with truffles.
And if this Festival was not enough reason to travel to this beautiful part of Italy, rent a farmhouse just a short drive from the Fossombrone Town Centre. Escape to a relaxing stay at this farmhouse with a swimming pool in Fossombrone, located in the beautiful Marche region. Nestled in the hills, the farmhouse offers an authentic experience surrounded by unspoiled nature, delicious food, and warm hospitality. Lovingly renovated with ecological and sustainable practices, this farmhouse preserves its 18th-century charm. Features such as ancient oak beams, exposed stone walls, original tiles, and natural materials enhance its rural architecture.
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