Land Search Guidance

We begin by screening candidate regions and properties against ATC’s climate tools specifically for Périgord black truffles. We examine average summer and winter temperatures and how they are projected to evolve over the coming decades—because a truffle orchard is a long-lived asset, and a shifting climate can quietly turn a promising site into a poor one over time. Only locations that meet the ideal temperature requirements for truffles pass this analysis and move on to the next.

For shortlisted properties, we evaluate the soil’s physical structure (texture, drainage, depth) and chemical profile (pH, more than ten key nutrients, plus trace elements) in the context of truffle requirements. The ideal soil is free-draining, with a relatively high pH. Heavy, waterlogged soils or poorly structured subsoils can be red flags unless there is a realistic path to mitigation. Where appropriate, we advise whether amendments are likely to bring the soil into an acceptable range within a reasonable timeframe.

Even in climates with good rainfall, truffle production depends on having the right amount of moisture at the right times. We review the property’s access to irrigation water and the practicality of installing an irrigation system that meets ATC’s scientific criteria. If a site cannot support reliable irrigation, we will say so clearly—before you invest in it as a truffle project.

Finally, we look at how the land actually lies and what is around it. We assess slope and drainage (avoiding valley bottoms that saturate or slopes that are too steep to manage), aspect and sun exposure, access for equipment, and proximity to trees that host competing mycorrhizal fungi. In combination, these factors can make the difference between a site that looks appealing on paper and one that is realistically manageable as a truffle orchard.

We start with your goals, preferred regions, and timeframe. If you are already considering specific properties, we gather basic information on those as well.

Using ATC’s climate tools and experience, we help you prioritize regions and counties where the climate is fundamentally suitable for Périgord black truffles, so you and your real estate team are focused on the right region.

For specific candidate parcels, we conduct a structured review, which may include climate overlays, topography and drainage analysis, soil testing guidance and interpretation, and red-flag checks around water access and competing vegetation. You will know the scientific feasibility of the parcel before you purchase the land.

You receive practical guidance on which parcels to pursue, which to avoid, and what conditions or follow-up testing we would require before endorsing a site for truffle cultivation.