Borgia family
an ancient passion
Legend has it that Lucrezia Borgia—the famous noblewoman and illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI (born Rodrigo Borgia), one of the most controversial female figures of the Italian Renaissance —had a great love for truffles. Perhaps because of the aphrodisiac properties that have always been attributed to these prized mushrooms. History remembers her as an irresistible seductress.
Or simply for the same reasons we mere mortals like them, who will not go down in history for court intrigues and poison.
There are no historical sources attesting to the reason for this "noble" passion, but what is historically documented is that Lucrezia was (also) Duchess of Bisceglie, a consortium title bestowed upon her upon her marriage to Alfonso of Aragon. It is said that, intent on using truffles in her lavish banquets in the Spoleto area, she sent her servants to what is now the Alta Murgia National Park in search of this precious mushroom, which was then destined for the kitchens of Bisceglie Castle.
But the destinies of the Ferrarese noblewoman and the prized underground mushroom are so intertwined that this dowry, received from the Apulian Duke, the illegitimate son of Alfonso II of Aragon, is responsible for the truffle fever that, five hundred years after those events, literally erupted on Apulian soil, and more precisely in the heel of Italy. Or, more precisely, on the Salento peninsula.
Where now there is no restaurant in Salento that doesn't offer at least one dish on its menu that releases the unmistakable aroma: from classic egg tagliatelle with truffle, and onwards to the most modern experiments based on fish and shellfish.
the origins
The business was born from the intuition of Aldo Borgia, the last descendant of a historic family of Spanish origin. The connection to this illustrious legacy is today maintained by his son Giuliano, who is credited with officially registering the company trademark; the logo reproduces the heraldic coat of arms of the Borgia dynasty, granted with the authorization of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers - Heraldic Office.
The project is rooted in the professional experience of its founder, who, as a former judicial police officer, developed over the years a strong aptitude for investigation and analysis of the territory.
In the late 1990s, during a routine inspection on the Adriatic coast of Salento, Aldo Borgia's attention focused on two individuals exhibiting unusual behavior in a pine forest. Subsequent investigations revealed something completely unexpected: they were two truffle hunters from outside the region, who had come to Salento to harvest truffles.
Until then, the presence of this precious underground mushroom in Salento was a secret kept by a small circle of experts. Since the 1970s, professional hunters had regularly visited the area, harvesting significant quantities without the knowledge of the local community.
Driven by a desire to further explore his discovery, Aldo Borgia contacted one of the leading national authorities in the field, who, impressed by his determination, officially introduced him to the world of truffle cultivation. This confirmed a scientific and commercial reality of great importance: Salento is an ideal habitat for truffles.
Aldo
Borgia
Heraldic Coat of Arms
Borgia family
registered trademark
Julian Borgia
The company's historical and scientific journey was consolidated by his son Giuliano Borgia. A law graduate with international studies in Germany and Switzerland, CEO of Borgia Tartufi, AIS Sommelier, and ONAF Taster, Giuliano decided to return to Salento to work alongside his father, Aldo. Driven by his father's passion, he chose to dedicate himself entirely to Hydnology—the science of studying truffles—combining commercial acumen with a rigorous academic approach.
The synergy between father and son led to important institutional achievements in just a few years. Both received the qualification of "Truffle Hunters for Scientific Purposes" from the Puglia Region as part of a pilot project with the Department of Biology at the University of Bari to map Puglia's truffle-producing areas. Already a promoter of the Free School of Synergistic Agriculture in Puglia, Giuliano assumed the role of Vice President of the Puglia Regional Truffle Association in 2022.
His most significant contribution comes from historical research. Driven by illustrious references, such as citations by Pliny the Elder in his Historia Naturalis, revisited in the 16th century by the Bolognese physician Baldassarre Pisanelli, Giuliano conducted an in-depth study that culminated in a scientific publication in 2024. The research demonstrated the presence and consumption of truffles in Puglia since the times of Ancient Rome. Thanks to this extraordinary discovery, in 2025 Giuliano Borgia obtained official recognition of the "Puglia Black Summer Truffle" as a PAT (Traditional Agricultural Product). In the same year, he was appointed a member of the Technical Committee of the Puglia Region at the Department of Agriculture, the institutional body responsible for monitoring and protecting truffle-related activities in the region.
Giuliano was awarded the title of Knight of the Truffle and Wines of Alba for his commitment to promoting truffles in his homeland through research. He is a promoter, along with the Municipal Administration of Giurdignano, of the City of the Truffle recognition and of the Truffle Fest-A, held annually between May and June.
I believe we can still bet on Italy, and it's people like me, passionate about their work, simple and determined, who make us believe that all is not lost, as many say. The will to set goals and persevere until we reach them is the first step to preventing our country from collapsing. Let's take a cue from someone like me, who wanted to bet on his country, who has the will to share its traditions with those who perhaps only know a little about them. We live in the most beautiful country in the world, let's not forget that!
Julian Borgia
