Carlos Huber jetted to the lands down under this month to launch Arquiste in New Zealand and Australia. We caught up with him on Waiheke, a wine-producing island in The Harbour of Sparkling Water, The Waitemata, in New Zealand. There is an interview to follow. Today let’s wander around Waiheke Island with Carlos and see what his nose found.
Guest Post by Carlos Huber
Waiheke Island
The strong, green and woody scent of clipped pines dividing certain cellar doors and vineyards
Young olives, smelling of a more pungent extra virgin olive oil, slightly bitter (you almost smell in the back of your mouth)
Scent-less but beautiful flower
Clay, earth, trees and shrubs, bathed by the salty sea and cooked by the warm sun
The salty, algae-full and swampy scent of bays in low-tide
Me at the beach!
🙂
Vineyards
The deep fruity, currant, and vanilla tones of Waiheke Shiraz, Cabernet and Bordeaux blends
Walking through the Waiheke “greenery”-
Wet earth, wood chips, fleshy vines
Collecting scents- honeysuckle plus sweet, honey-like Mediterranean flower.
Can anyone identify this flower from the petals?
Grass (dry and green), wild flowers, sand, volcanic earth
Me under the dusty, sunny olive trees at Stonyridge vineyards
Thank you Carlos for sharing these scents, your photos and thoughts.
A Sample pack of the entire Arquiste range will go to the person who correctly identifies the unidentified pink flower underneath the honeysuckle.
Further Reading
Arquiste
Auckland Action
Melbourne Launch
The Range
Waiheke Island
Stonyridge Vineyard
The Fragrant Man 
Hibiscus? What a stunning place! And such lovely photos. There are such contrasts there, especially with the pines, the sea, the olives and more that I almost can’t absorb it all at first glance. You have a spectacular country, Jordan!
And good guess but no, not a hibiscus. Hoping to find out though!
Indeed a myriad of contrasts on this tiny island within the harbour of Auckland.
The “me at the beach” piccie is nice.
😉
xxx
Very casual and very relaxed. Very NZ.
Is that possibly pink oleander?
And I just have to add Mr. Huber is rather handsome. 😉
…just slightly…
It IS pink oleander!!! 🙂 Congrats Ines!!!
And many thanks for all the guesses and comments! I cannot wait to go back to Waiheke and discover more of NZ
Yaay for me! 🙂
A rather handsome pink oleander, hmmm, maybe it is.
You and Hibiscus are top of the list while we consult local botanists. Sure to be an exotic not a native.
Such a beautiful post! Jordan, You, your blog and guest writers are just superb! It’s like a sensory journey every time I stop by. I must admit I don’t know the flower but I did google it. Is it double flowering peach or prunus persica?
Brigitte, thank you for your lovely words. You must a sensualist too. Thank you for the two flower names.
Mr River you are doing really amazing things with this blog. It is original, genuine, extremely interesting, and very fresh. I am in envy.
No envy please Ginzaintherain. It is not a competition! I have been an admirer of your output for a long time and have refreshed myself with The Black Narcissus on many occasions as well as learning how to spell narcissus! Thank you for your comment which I will treasure. Your words have sillage.
I agree with Neil! It has been wonderful seeing what you are doing with The Fragrant Man. Keep it coming!
I’m guessing mandevilla but I think it may have too many petals for that.
Ah!
Fun! I love puzzles.
My guess would be Amaryllis (Pink or some other variety).
Hmm!
Ahh, Waiheke Island, a beautiful place to escape Auckland for a weekend : )
Or a life time! Lots of daily commuters these days. How is that home on the cliff in the first photo?
New to the island is an Oyster Bar called The Oyster Inn. The chef is Cristian Hossack who was previously the head chef at London’s Providores
searched for hours and could only come up with Nerium oleander… I had an email sent to my work (Waiheke Island Visitor Information Center) asking of I could identify this flower for you. Fingers crossed I have helped in your discoveries!
It is a world wide search Elisha. Thank you for your input. Carlos now has a clue from his own sleuthing. Maybe the flower will inspire a perfume called called La Isla Waiheke!
“All of nature wild and free, La Isla Bonita” – Madonna
Great guess Elisha however Ines in Croatia was quicker than the locals. Thank you though for dropping by.
My guess is Vireya
Aha! Thank you for popping in Gwendolyn. Sure you have a beautiful garden.
Ines, you have won the sample set of the entire Arquitse perfume range. Hours of delight in the olfactory heights.
Please send me permission to send your mailing address to the Arquiste HQ in New York.
What a wonderful guest post from Carlos Huber! Thank you so much to Carlos for sharing his experience, and you for sharing with us!
You are very welcome. Thank you for armchair travelling with us.
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I wish I had seen this contest earlier. This grows practically everywhere here. Can’t even look away from the stuff!
How does it smell?
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