1486
Umbria
Italy
The year my story begins.
The same year our family became the proud owners of 2,500 acres of magnificent Umbrian countryside, in the heart of Italy.
Since those early days, my family has called the village of Pettino home—a place surrounded by ancient forests and natural mountain pastures.
Our ancestors even wrote a small constitution, which remains unchanged to this day.
In fact, things haven’t changed all that much in Pettino over the last few centuries.
Life continued to flow at a gentle pace for generations.
But there has been one very big change—a first in history.
My name is Francesca, and I'm the village President—the First Woman President ever in our 500 year history.
I am also the first woman to be in charge of the family estate, and proudly consider myself a custodian of this amazing place, nurturing it for the future generations of my family.
Black Truffles
At the heart of Pettino lies our love for truffles. They're not just a delicacy, they're a way of life here—a tradition passed down through generations. Truffle hunting is a time-honored occupation, and I see truffles as a symbol of our enduring heritage.
My cousin Luca has been truffle hunting since he was seven years old, and he spends many days a year wandering the forests with his dogs.
The other most traditional job in Pettino is the shepherd.
The shepherd spends day after day immersed in nature, strolling the fields and forests, watching over our prized flock of sheep.
A shepherd’s job hasn’t changed much in 2000 years—although a cell phone comes in handy at times.
Dan is our family shepherd—known as man of few words. He spends his days wandering the mountain pastures with 300 sheep and more than 20 dogs.
Actually, he does around 30000 steps almost every single day and knows every inch of the farm...
Including the best napping spots, which are surprisingly numerous.
Of the 20 dogs that accompany Dan each day, 12 of them are the Maremma. This is a very ancient Italian breed of dog, whose only job is to protect our sheep from the legendary Apennine wolf.
I grew up with these incredible dogs, and I am still in awe of their fine character and loyal nature.
I am also very fond of my sheep. They are an ancient Italian breed called Sopravissana—perfectly adapted to our unspoiled mountain environment.
Their wool—which we call Black Truffle Country Wool—is a story waiting to be unraveled, and tells the tale of our incredible life here in Umbria, Italy.
From One Beautiful Corner of Italy to Another
The wool from our sheep is sent to a very picturesque town called Biella, at the foot of the Alps in the Northwest of Italy. Biella has been for many centuries the wool capital of the world, and where the world’s finest yarns and fabric are produced.
Biella—Where Wool Becomes a Work of Art
In Biella, skilled artisans with generations of experience transform the raw wool into yarn and fabrics of unrivaled quality and elegance.
Biella is renowned worldwide as the pinnacle of yarn and fabric making, and its products are used by many of the world’s greatest designers and brands.
A Yarn Spun from Truffle Country
Biella also works its magic on our Black Truffle Country Wool.
It is always a beautiful moment when I see the wonderful yarns having just been dyed and spun. I know how much passion, toil and life have gone into creating them.
Made in Italy
The yarn from Black Truffle Country Wool is a truly Italian story.
It is traceable, sustainable, and 100% Made in Italy—from farm to yarn.
A Story in Every Thread
When our yarn reaches the hands of knitters around the world, for me they become part of the Pettino story.
With every stitch they feel not just the quality of the wool, but the warmth of the Umbrian sun, the thrill of the truffle hunt, and the unwavering loyalty of a Maremma sheepdog.
It’s also the story of a place, a family, and an ancient way of life—my story—whispered in the winds of the Umbrian Apennine mountains.
Experience Pettino
You can also experience the timelessness of life in Pettino at our very own Black Truffle Lodge.
Luxurious accommodation where you can immerse yourself into the traditional Pettino lifestyle with your own sumptuous haven. We also offer the Pettino Country Experience to travelers from all over the world, where they stay in the comfort of the Lodge and discover the pleasures of life in Pettino, including truffle hunting and shepherding.
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