Perfume Review: Ros En Bos “Rose & Vines” (Emily Pienaar) + Picking a Wedding Perfume Draw

emily pienaar marriage equality

 Natural Perfumer Emily Pienaar 3rd from the left  (celebrateprideapp Facebook)

I have written much about the impact of aroma memory, of our limbic system and its overriding capabilities and how if clever, we can use this associative hardwiring to ensure the seeds of memory are fertilely planted in our minds. Sometimes this happens without intention or ambient randomness; when I applied Emily Pienaar of Rose En Bos Rose & Vines, I found myself suddenly considering a perfume for my wedding. I am not the kind inclined to daydream about such things. Upon hearing the news that same-sex marriage is constitutionally legal in the United States. I was certain the universe smiled upon the  stunned looked on my face;  I am knee-deep in synchronicity.

rose en bos bot anical perfume south africa

Ros En Bos hails from the Western Cape of South Africa (who declared same-sex marriage legal November 29 2006), known for geranium cultivation and indeed, Rose & Vines contains a local fynbos (pelargonium graveolens) from Riebeek-Kasteel which instantly captured my heart. Geranium, known for its cheering, rose like qualities, I have always found to be one of the most 'complete' oils in its floral, antiseptic, uplifting, sharp-then-powdery aromas- some people always have lavender on hand, I cannot do without geranium.  Opening with this fynbos and quickly merging with Moroccan rose perfection, Rose & Vines is an all out rose affair, but not without piquant greens and enough booziness to understand this is celebratory. What was once only seen through rose-colored glasses becomes a legal reality in the moment Emily provides a rose scented world.

rose en bos rose and vines

Rose & Vines was actually formulated with inspiration from the Cape Winelands, hence the cognac which brings a depth to the flora of rose and rose geranium as rich, almost sticky velveteen petals. Tuberose and cedar bring wood and cream to the affair, and were it not for my already overwritten aroma association with marriage- I would know there is clearly vine slowly growing, twisting and looping its way outward from the Rosalian heart notes. Dry down is a soft descent into not-quite musk of cognac and tuberose spirits, with dry aspects of floral among the most non pencil cedarwood. The voyage Rose & Vines takes from brilliant green rose opening to soft wooden leafed vine will always be the joyous moment of exhale of so much weight from collective shoulders lifted, of newer fresher air, and of the new promise of love, and the freedom to partake in loving relationships both personally and planetary. Notes: Riebeek-Kasteel fynbos, cognac, tuberose, Morrocan rose, Atlas cedar, vanilla

 -Einsof, Natural Perfume Editor

rose en bos botanical perfume 2

Writer's Note: Emily creates the artwork for all Ros En Bos products, influenced by Alphonse Mucha style, seals the aesthetic deal for me. and is used throughtout the review. Clearly olfaction is only one talent to this multifaceted artist. PS  contemplating a wedding scent is not the same as an announcement.

rose and vines perfume

Thanks to Emily Pienaar (a certified  perfumer of The Natural Perfumer's Guild) we have 10 ml of Rose & Vines to a registered reader worldwide. To be eligible please leave a comment with why you would like to win Rose & Vines and where you live.  Draw closes July 15, 2015

We announce the winner’s only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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25 comments

  • JazzBelle says:

    I love rose scents, although I tend to think it can sometimes be too linear. What intrigues me about Rose & Vines is that it contains notes of cognac (never experienced this in a fragrance before) and geranium (which I love). .

    I’ve also never experienced a perfume from South Africa before. It’s also fascinating that Rose & Vine is inspired by the Cape Winelands. I didn’t know South Africa has a wine industry!

    I live in the USA and would live to win Rose & Vines. Thank you!

  • Anya McCoy says:

    Emily’s aesthetic, in both perfume, and art, is superb. I remember the delight I experienced when I received a packet of her samples years ago. I had never heard of her, but I knew she was going to become a perfumer of great standing, she’s got the whole package together!

  • julesinrose says:

    A boozy all-natural rose scent? What’s not to like. I also enjoyed the review very much! Thanks for the peek into who you are, Einsof. In the US.

  • madeleine gallay says:

    Really hoping to find a rose fragrance that isn’t sticky ,,, this one seems to avoid that. Tuberose and the touch of musk, gentle. In the USA, loving perfume reviews and stories. In the US.

  • Jackie b says:

    Your review made me get out my bottle of geranium oil and inhale delightedly. The combination of notes in Rose and Vine must be wonderful and I am interested to try it. I am in Australia

  • Francesca says:

    I’m not getting married anytime soon, probably never but may I still enter 🙂 hey congrats USA for finally passing that law-we all stood around waiting for you to do so…now you can come to the party over here…I love the sound of this fragrance, the notes, the ambiance makes me want to win it! And thanks for sharing Emily’s story. It was a pleasure to get to know her through it. I am International in New Zealand

  • jonas says:

    Recently the wild roses were blooming in the mountains here and I spent an afternoon on my knees smelling them until I was intoxicated and perfectly delirious. I’d love to do the same with Rose en Bose. Please.

  • fazalcheema says:

    I am so glad Emily has paid tribute to the progress in equal rights for same sex marriage, even choosing an ingredient from a place in South Africa which legalized gay marriage in 2006. this alone makes me wanting to try this fragrance. plus it has both rosy and boozy notes due to cognac and geranium. thanks so much for the draw. I am in the US

  • einsof says:

    just for clarification, Rose & Vines was created in homage to the vineyards of South Africa. It just so happened i was pondering the beauty of Rose & Vines as perfect for a wedding and a few hours later found out about the USA ruling.

    Rose & Vines will now forever be linked to the domino moments of joy on that day.

    <3

  • Joyce says:

    Down on our knees to pay homage to the Rose! Thank you Einsof for the above clarification. Marriage tends to create an euphoric situation for those involved,speaking for myself that was how I perceived it. This perfume promises many things and I am sure it will not let anyone down. Thank you Emily for sharing your talents and I am happy to be aware of your Art. I want to try this fragrance for the Rose. I am a US registered reader .

  • Maya says:

    I love roses and have been sampling a lot of rose perfumes lately with no luck. I am curious about the effect of cognac on the rose in Rose & Vines. I imagine it would be lovely. Live in the USA.

  • lionceau says:

    Rose and cognac? Wow! Interesting combination. I would love to smell this.
    Thank you! USA

  • Timea says:

    Beautiful review! I would very like to win Rose & Vines, because I love the scent of the rose, and I also love natural perfumes. Those are so calming and make the feel of happiness. I’m a registered reader. Thank you for this lovely draw. I live in Europe.

  • Jen says:

    I was intrigued enough by this review that I registered so I can have a chance at winning. I stumbled upon this blog tonight and can’t wait to go through past posts and learn more! I love the idea of marrying rose with cognac, I am curious to see if what I imagine is close to the reality. I would like to win so that I can experience it myself. (And describing it as a perfect scent to wear for a wedding intrigued me too as my boyfriend and I have been talking about getting married…I would love to find something perfect for that special day!) I am in Canada.

  • Fiona says:

    I’m a fan of rose perfumes, and Bulgarian rose, cognac, sandalwood and tuberose sounds like a winner to me. Thanks for a lovely and uplifting review – and the draw, of course. I’m in the UK.

  • Doreeniyogini says:

    Such a lovely review of a fantastic sounding fragrance. I love true botanical rose perfume and the blending with cognac is dreamy. Wowza on the art work too! Emily clearly got a large helping of talent when it was being passed out! I live in the USA.

  • Miriam says:

    I live in the US, and I would like to win because I am a lover of all things rose!

  • Hemla says:

    I’ve been following the development of Rose en Bos for a few years now. I too admire the multifaceted talents she shows in with her company.
    Hope to hear more good things.
    I would like to try a scent from this company, just for the experience.
    I live in Israel
    Hemla

  • Dubaiscents says:

    This scent sounds gorgeous! I would love to smell an all natural rose, tuberose, geranium scent! And the artwork is amazing, such talent! Thank you for the draw, I am in the UAE.

  • Iphigenia says:

    I simply adore roses and all perfumes with roses are my fetish ☺!!! I live in EU, thank you for this lovely draw ❤❤❤

  • Greg Sh says:

    This sounds absolutely wonderful! I’m a huge fan of rose scents, and this one seems so pure and authentic! I live in Canada and thank you so much for the draw!

  • hofken says:

    I would like to win Rose & Vines because, if it’s as lovely as her artwork, it would be beautiful to wear. I live in the U.S.

  • Jodi says:

    I would like to be the lucky winner of this particular random draw because, much like Einsof, I am entranced by the particularly warm, woody and pungent aroma of geranium. Geraniums surround my small white cottage in the summer and come winter, I store them in the attic near a southern wall of windows, cheered when the snows come by their bright color and comforting smell.
    This particular blend of geranium and rose which promises to mellow down into a boozy blend of cognac and tuberose sounds like something I would love to celebrate love with!
    I live in the United States and thank you for the draw.

  • Vick G says:

    I love the concept of this fragrance, and I know my mother would adore this scent. She’s a big fan of floral fragrances, and this would make a great gift to her! I’m a Canadian reader

  • Greg Mayne says:

    Rosy and boozy notes!? Sign me up immediately! This fragrance sounds incredible and I’m happy the same sex marriage has been legalized in the USA. Everyone deserves to be happy.

    I’m a Canadian reader and thank you for the draw!