Our Legacy, Our Commitment
Two Decades of Scientific Truffle Cultivation
The Turkoglu Family
About Us
"This work was truly a family effort—Gulsum accompanied him at every stage of research and application, and Yavuzalp joined the team at just 12 years old."
Zero-Contamination
We combine international experience with our proprietary inoculation methods to guarantee the genetic certainty of every root system.
Our Foundation
Alpine Truffle: Built on Scientific Passion
Alpine Truffle is a family-founded company built on more than two decades of scientific research, hands-on field experience, and a deep passion for truffles.
​
The Turkoglu family began studying truffles in 2004 in Turkey. Led by Dr. Aziz Turkoglu, a mycology professor, the family developed expertise in truffle biology, including inoculation techniques and morphological, molecular, and ecological studies. Dr. Turkoglu also developed his own truffle inoculation methods.
​
Over the years, the family built extensive knowledge in truffle cultivation, orchard establishment, and long-term management, translating academic research into practical applications and ultimately into a successful startup and business model.
Global Expertise, Local Focus
This work allowed the family to blend strong theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience across diverse regions:
Contributed to national truffle action plans for forestry services in Turkey.
Participated in multiple truffle research programs in Italy, France, Sweden and Turkey.
Worked on applied projects to improve orchard productivity in areas from Southern Europe to Morocco and Finland.
2012 - 2016
Pioneering in the Pacific Northwest
Seeking to expand beyond Europe, the Turkoglu family came to Oregon in 2012. Dr. Turkoglu conducted postdoctoral research with the renowned mycologist Dr. James Trappe, solidifying our commitment to North American truffle cultivation. In August 2016, the family settled permanently in Washington State and founded Alpine Truffle LLC, bringing their global experience home.
Our Field Laboratory
The Yelm Orchard: A Story of Resilience
Fall 2016: The Beginning
Alpine Truffle began its first U.S.-based truffle tree production. Acorns were collected from resilient holly oak street trees in Seattle, germinated, and inoculated with Périgord truffle.
November 2018: Planting & Setback
The trees were planted in the family’s truffle orchard in Yelm, Washington. The first year proved challenging, with significant tree loss due to a harsh winter. Even hardy acorns struggled to survive.
Adaptation & Replanning
Through careful observation, the family identified the strongest-performing, most cold-resilient trees, traced them back to their source, and collected additional acorns. These were re-inoculated with Périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) and replanted, proving our commitment to adaptive strategies and perseverance.
January 5, 2025: First Harvest!
After years of dedication, Alpine Truffle celebrated the harvest of its first truffle—discovered by Flora, a trained truffle dog from Truffle Dog Company, handled by Aiko Vail. This success validates our methods and the resilience of our stock.
