Truffle

Taranaki Perigord Black Truffle

When starting a truffle orchard, it is vital to obtain the highest quality inoculated host trees. It doesn’t matter how well you prepare the soil and the future truffle orchard in general, if you don’t start with the highest quality trees, your results may be inconsistent or nil.

We are using proven science and experience to offer the highest quality inoculated host seedlings.

We bring passion, science, and experience together. Following Mycorlab Ltd successful inoculation techniques we produce only small batches of seedlings. Our promise is to deliver to you a high quality of well mycorrhized seedlings with up to 70% of mycorrhization on their root system. This will put your mind at ease knowing that you have an excellent start in your journey of growing truffle. The inoculum used by Mountain Road Estate is DNA tested to guarantee its purity.

Truffle infected seedlings.

We bring passion, science and experience together to offer highly infected  seedlings, that will reduce the guess and risk factors of growing truffle.   

Our Current offering are as follows

Quercus robur   English oak, Deciduous
Quercus ilex       Holm oak, Evergreen
Corylus avellana Hazelnut (white heart) Deciduous

Using DNA tested
Tuber melanosporum (Perigord black truffle)

Please contact us to talk about the possibility of growing Truffle on your land.

Dan Zinsli
Mountainroadestate@gmail.com
0274713800

Can you help us set up our own Truffle Farm?

Here at Mountain Road Estate we are all fascinated with fungus and love to chat about the possibility of creating new Truffle orchards, we specialize in Small to medium sites.

We are happy to offer you a free tour of our site, we have been given this opportunity from many truffle growers have found it highly beneficial! Please email us to arrange a time.

After that if you are after specific advice relating to your site we can offer consultation services.

Do you offer Root Inspection?

YES!! Dans been inspecting root samples for many years now and he is happy to use our microscopy to give you more information about the state of your roots and the potential fungi growing on them. Daniel can identify the species of the Tuber spp. as well as assess the level of mycorrhization on your root system.

Please send us an email to arrange this. Mountainroadestate@gmail.com  

 How Many Truffle Inoculated Trees Do you Have in your Orchard?

We have planted almost 300 truffle inoculated trees. 

This means that in 2026 we should have two paddocks that are bursting with Perigord black truffle in the winter. It is our dream to give locals the opportunity to taste quality truffle grown under their Maunga. A tasty reason to get together during the colder months. 

We maintain organic practices, and have right from the beginning of our journey this is extra work, however spraying does not sit with your values and what we believe to be important for our land.

What is Perigord Truffle?

If you’re wondering what Perigord truffle is, don’t worry your’e not the only one!

The truffle industry is relatively new to NZ (1990’s). There are a few different types of truffle grown in NZ, we have chosen Perigord Truffle because we absolutely love the flavor and the food it matches.

Perigord truffle is native to Southern Europe and is extremely popular overseas.

Perigord Truffle has a beautiful earthy, garlicky taste that hits you in the back of the mouth, making you want more and more! Each experience in unique, some other words to describe truffle are: oaky, nutty, creamy, delicious, pungent 

Tell Me More About Perigord Truffle. I LOVE Science!

Perigord Truffle is a Ectomycorrhizal fungi that forms a symbiotic relationship with its host tree, in our case Oak and Hazelnuts.

A fungal network of Hyphae (fine microscopic filaments) makes its home over and in the roots of the inoculated trees. 

This network of hyphae create a symbiotic relationship with the tree, the hyphae helps the tree absorb nutrients and the tree will allow the hyphae to exist and eventually fruit (truffle) if the soil and climatic conditions allow.