ParfumPlus

What I loved most was how informal and open everything felt. Guests weren’t afraid to ask questions or share personal reactions. Some spoke about the memories the fragrances brought back, while others became fascinated by how differently they experienced a scent after tasting the wine paired with it. As the sun set across the vineyards, conversations continued long after the official pairings ended. It felt less like an event and more like people genuinely enjoying a shared sensory experience together. For me, that captured the spirit of Sip by Scent perfectly. SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH MY EYES Beyond the events themselves, South Africa became a huge source of inspiration during the trip. Johannesburg had its own scent identity, rain, greenery, warm earth, wood and the freshness that comes from the city’s elevated landscape. Walking through local artisan spaces and markets, I noticed natural carved woods, oils, fabrics and handcrafted materials that carried their own character. “You could taste what you smelled” SIP BY SCENT: CAPE TOWN After Johannesburg, Düllberg Konzentra hosted another event in Cape Town, the setting could not have been more beautiful, vineyards stretching across the landscape, mountain views in the distance and warm golden light settling over the estate. While the Johannesburg event explored the relationship between scent and visual art, Cape Town focused on the connection between fragrance and winemaking. Together with the sommeliers, we created a pairing experience where five wines were matched with five fragrances. Guests moved between tasting and smelling, discovering how closely flavour and scent mirror one another. One pairing was inspired by a sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. The fragrance opened with bright citrus and tropical fruit notes before softening into warmer woody tones built around tonka bean and oakwood. “What fascinates me is how naturally perfume and wine speak the same language,” I explained during the event. “Both evolve over time. Both are about balance, structure and memory.” As the afternoon continued, guests compared impressions, revisited fragrances and became increasingly immersed in the experience. P A R F U M P L U S 26