June 14 @ 8:00 am – June 17 @ 5:00 pm EDT
Join us in Santa Rosa, CA in June 2026 for our annual NATGA Congress, where we will be enjoying many of the amazing offerings of Sonoma County, including vineyards, wineries, truffle orchards, amazing culinary adventures, and of course Truffles.
Keynote Speaker:
Alessandra Zambonelli
Alessandra Zambonelli is a prominent Full Professor of Botany at the University of Bologna, specializing in applied mycology and a world-leading expert on truffles. Her research concentrates on truffles covering their genetics, ecology, cultivation, and mycorrhizal associations. She has worked in applied mycology since 1981 and led many national and international projects. Prof. Zambonelli has published over 235 scientific articles and co-authored books, including “Taming the Truffle”, which is the definitive book on the history, lore, science, and cultivation of truffles.
The NATGA 2026 Congress will feature 2 full days of useful, relevant research and the latest information on truffle cultivation. You’ll be able to network with industry experts, successful truffle producers and leading truffle researchers. In addition to the scientific content, we are adding unique Sonoma County Events centered around truffles, such as wine and truffle bite pairing and a moderated panel discussion with well-known Michelin Star Chefs.
For the first time ever, we are also offering 3 additional Bonus Truffle Experiences, with a variety of optional programs including:
- Cooking with Truffles,
- Truffle Dog Training and a
- Truffle Microscopy Workshop.
These Bonus Truffle Experiences will take place before and/or after the Congress for an additional fee.
Congress kicks off on Sunday evening at the Flamingo Resort, June 14 with our annual Welcome Reception where you can connect with old friends, meet new NATGA supporters and network with the experts. Day One will start at the Flamingo Resort and will feature presentations from our Keynote Speaker, Professor Alessandra Zambonelli, as well as additional industry professionals on topics related to truffle cultivation, production, and marketing of truffles. The afternoon will be spent touring a Sonoma County truffle orchard and vineyards, watching a truffle dog demonstration, and experiencing fabulous Sonoma County wines, paired with gourmet truffle bites prepared by Eric Anderson, a Michelin Star Chef.
Day Two will include our annual NATGA members Business Meeting, an additional presentation by Prof Zambonelli as well as more truffle and Ag industry professionals in the morning. For the first time ever, the afternoon will also be available to the public via a Day Pass. The afternoon session, From Soil Prep to Harvest: Latest Research and Development for Truffle Cultivation will also be especially informative for those considering starting a truffle orchard. We’ll also feature a moderated Chef Panel Discussion with Michelin Star Chefs, a Truffle Marketplace, and Silent Auction. Congress concludes with our Closing Reception and Wine and Truffle Bite pairing.
Agenda Highlights
Keynote Speaker: Alessandra Zambonelli, PhD, Univ of Bologna, Italy
- State of the Truffle Industry and Perspectives from Italy
- Latest Developments and Techniques in Improving Soil Microbiomes
Breeding and Training Exceptional Truffle-Hunting Dogs, Raúl Deoiz, Spain Founder and Manager of Trufdog.
Truffle Species and Tree Species; New Combinations and Opportunities, Brian Upchurch, Carolina Truffiéres, NC
Chef Panel Discussion with Michelin Star Chefs
Optional Programs
We are preparing a series of extra curricular opportunities which may require additional fees
Sunday 6/14
- Truffle Orchard Tours
- Microscopy Course – Ann Scanlan
- Cooking Class – Carey Angerer
- Dog Training Class – Fran Angerer
Wednesday 6/17
- Truffle Orchard Tours
- Microscopy Course
- Cooking Class
- Dog Training Class
- Mushroom producer tour
Speakers
Alessandra Zambonelli
PhD
Full Professor of Botany at the University of Bologna’s Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences in Italy and co-authored Taming the Truffle: The History, Lore, and Science of the Ultimate Mushroom.
Raúl Deoiz
RSCE Certified Dog Trainer
Founder and manager of Trufdog, a leading specialist in breeding and training exceptional truffle-hunting dogs.
Mark Coleman
Forestry Faculty
TRAPI project director. Fourteen years as Research Scientists with US Forest Service in Wisconsin and South Carolina. Forestry Faculty at University of Idaho for the past thirteen years.
Ann Scanlan
Vice President and Research Task Force Lead
Ann Scanlan currently serves as VP of NATGA and is chair of the Research Task Force. She has an orchard in the mountains of Southern California.
Margaret Townsend
Owner
Margaret saw the potential for truffle production on her family farm in Kentucky back in 2011 when she started a 25-acre venture dedicated to raising Perigord Truffles (Tuber Melanosporum) in Southern Kentucky.
Brian Upchurch
Brian Upchurch, a former President of NATGA, is a professional horticulturist who owned and operated a wholesale specialty nursery for 30 years prior to starting his truffle orchard business with his son, Davis.
Fran Angerer
Artistic Truffle Farmer, Local Defacto Truffle Meister
NATGA Member since 2019, truffle grower
Ticket Prices
All-Inclusive Full Congress Package, June 14-16:
Includes 2 full days of industry presentations, breakfasts, lunches, orchard tour, wine and truffle bite pairing and Michelin Chef Roundtable Discussion, Truffle Marketplace, Silent Auction, and Opening and Closing Receptions with Wine and Truffle Bite pairing:
- Member, Earlybird (until March 31, 2026): $545
- Member, $595
- Non-Member, $695
Day Pass and Truffle Marketplace, June 16
Open to the Public
Includes lunch, afternoon scientific session, Michelin Chef Roundtable Discussion, Truffle Marketplace, Silent Auction, and Closing Reception with Wine and Truffle Bite pairing:
- Day Pass, Earlybird (until May 31, 2026): $295
- Day Pass at the Door: $325
Accommodations
Our room block is below and we encourage everyone to book their rooms now! Your card is not charged until your stay, so there is no downside to book your room now! We have the dates and hotel confirmed so we can put our 2026 Congress up on our webpage as well so that folks can book rooms and start blocking off their calendars. And now the fun of planning the rest of the Congress begins!
Pre-book now. There is only a limited number of room reserved with a NATGA discount.
Resources
Sonoma County Tourism information