Suterra Europe in Valpolicella Classica: Three Teams, Truffle Hunting and a Beautiful Day of Sunshine

On 29 October 2026, we welcomed the managers of Suterra Europe to Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde for a day of team building among woodland, vineyards and good company.

Some autumn days seem determined to keep summer alive a little longer. On 29 October, we were blessed with glorious sunshine and beautiful light: the perfect setting to welcome the managers of Suterra Europe for a team-building day devoted to truffle hunting and discovering Valpolicella Classica.

Team leader Giusi worked with us to organise a day that would bring together nature, a little friendly competition and the pleasure of spending time together. The result was a wonderfully enjoyable gathering, shared between the paths of the Parco della Valpolicella and the cosy stube at our estate.

A Connection Already Rooted in the Vineyard

During the preparations, I was delighted to discover a connection that made this visit even more meaningful: we were already indirectly Suterra customers, through the mating disruption products we use in our vineyards to protect our vines against the European grapevine moth.

Suterra develops pheromone-based solutions for crop protection. Mating disruption reproduces the signals insects use to communicate, making it harder for males and females to find one another, thereby limiting reproduction and crop damage. It is a selective method used in integrated pest management in vineyards, orchards and other crops. (suterra.com)

As a winegrower, it was a pleasure to welcome the people behind these solutions and share our relationship with the land. In a way, our conversation had begun before we even met: through a practical choice we had made in caring for our vines.

Three Teams on the Truffle Trail

The morning in the woods gave everyone a chance to experience something different from their everyday routine. Accompanied by truffle hunters and their dogs, three groups set off in search of truffles, full of curiosity and eager to take part.

In the woods, you need to pay attention. You follow the dog’s movements, listen to the truffle hunter’s guidance and learn to notice details that might otherwise go unseen on a casual walk.

Dividing into teams added an element of friendly competition, making the search even more engaging. Of course, the four-legged participants had a clear advantage from the start: a considerably better-trained nose!

The sunshine stayed with us throughout the experience, making our time outdoors all the more enjoyable.

Building a Team at the Pace of the Woodland

Giusi’s original request had been clear: an activity that would involve everyone, with a small challenge for the groups to enjoy.

Truffle hunting offers precisely that opportunity. The truffle hunter knows the terrain and interprets the dog’s behaviour; the dog leads the search; the group observes, asks questions and learns to move together. Everyone has a role, but success depends on working in harmony.

For a few hours, colleagues accustomed to sharing projects and responsibilities shared woodland paths, moments of anticipation and laughter instead. This is one of the things I love most about these days: seeing how an experience in our local landscape can spark new conversations and reveal sides of people that have less room to emerge in the office.

The most moving moment came when the three teams met again in the heart of the woods. The infectious enthusiasm of the Spanish colleagues turned that encounter into an explosion of laughter, hugs and stories from the hunt. For a few moments, the woods echoed with their joy: a spontaneous, warm-hearted scene that will remain one of my happiest memories of the day.

From the Woods to the Estate’s Table

After the hunt, we gathered at Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde, where the day continued with a tour and lunch accompanied by our wines.

The truffle lasagnette brought the aromas of the morning to the table, alongside local specialities, traditional sbrisolona cake and a tasting of our wines, including our ten-year-old Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva.

It was time to bring the three teams back together, exchange stories from the hunt and continue getting to know one another.

The Most Rewarding Feedback

In the days that followed, Giusi wrote to tell me how much everyone had enjoyed the experience and passed on the participants’ compliments. After so much preparation, it was the loveliest message to receive.

My thoughts returned to the sunshine, the three groups in the woods and the laughter around the table. And to that special connection with Suterra: meeting the people behind solutions that are already part of our everyday life in the vineyard.

Thank you to Giusi and all the managers of Suterra Europe for choosing us and sharing such a beautiful autumn day in Valpolicella.

Ilaria — Diario di Ilaria