Arquiste A Grove by The Sea Review (Rodrigo Flores-Roux) 2024 + Aromatic Escape Giveaway

A Grove by The Sea by Arquiste

Arquiste A Grove by The Sea by Olya Bar

August 1508
Lopud Island, Adriatic Sea.

Inspired by the evergreen island of Lopud, Arquiste A Grove by the Sea is homage to a remote island where time seems to have stood still, and the air is heavy with the scent of fig trees and crushed olives, mingling with the briny breeze of the Adriatic Sea. It’s a place where Renaissance stone villas stand like silent sentinels, overlooking a landscape bursting with life—figs, olives, Mediterranean pine, and cypress all entwine in a gambol of green and gold under the blazing sun. With A Grove by the Sea, Arquiste has distilled the essence of a European escape—a savory journey to the sun-soaked fig groves of the Mediterranean, where you can almost taste the richness of olive oil caressed by a hint of sea salt. For me, it’s that perfect feeling of being in the old European city, the one I long for every summer, and the maritime air wrapping around you like a soft, salty embrace.

 photo by Carlos Huber

Lopud, once known as Delaphodia to the Greeks and Lafota to the Romans is an island steeped in history. From the 11th century onwards, it was a jewel in the crown of the Dubrovnik Republic, its rich heritage marked by monasteries, ancient chapels, and grand summer villas. Only fragments of this golden era remain today, but the island’s allure is as potent as ever. Visitors come to bask in its groves’ serenity, indulge in the local cuisine, and savor the taste of its famed olive oil.

Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Carlos Huber of Arquiste

Scent designer Carlos Huber and  perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux via the brand

 Scent designer and brand owner Carlos Huber, the architect of emotion, who, along with master perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux, has crafted perfumes that tell many beautiful stories- moments in time, from Australian natural pools to the ancient art of chocolate making and with A Grove by the Sea, they once again created an olfactive time capsule. The fragrance opens with a burst of green fig, succulent and fresh, and a salty olive accord that immediately evokes the Mediterranean coast.

Arquiste A Grove by the Sea

Arquiste A Grove by The Sea by Olya Bar 

As you breathe in, the perfume’s heart reveals a hint of juicy clementine, a subtle fruity note that adds just enough sweetness without stealing the spotlight. A delicate balance, where every element plays its part without overpowering the others. It feels like a stroll along a deserted beach as the sun dips below the horizon, the warm air swirling around you, carrying the scent of wild herbs, dried pine needles, and the faintest whisper of nutty olive oil. Your skin is still warm from the day’s sun, your lips taste faintly of sweet figs, and you feel utterly at peace. The dry down is the salty, balsamic sun-kissed scent which clings to the skin, leaving behind a golden warmth that lingers long after the sun has set. Arquiste A Grove by the Sea is a luxurious yet grounding aromatic escape, an olfactory reminder of summers spent in distant lands, where ancient ruins and timeless cities endlessly inspire and nourish the soul.

Notes: Adriatic fig leaves, Black olive, Fleur de sel accord, Croatian clementine, Extra virgin olive oil accord, Ripe fig fruit, Thyme essence, Rosemary essence, Mediterranean pine needle, Fir balsam, Mediterranean cypress, Red clay.

-Olya Bar, Editor

Disclaimer: A Grove by The Sea was kindly sent to me by the brand. My opinions, as always, are my own.

Arquiste Discovery Set

Discovery Set Courtesy of the Brand

Thanks to Arquiste, we have a Discovery Set with five samples: Misfit, a Fragrance Foundation winner for best indie fragrance in 2021; the gorgeous Indigo Smoke, sexy Sydney Rock Pool, and two new offerings, A Grove by the Sea and Venice Rococo above for one registered ÇaFleureBon reader in the U.S. only. Please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Olya’s review of Arquiste A Grove by the Sea. Do you have a favorite Arquiste perfume? Draw closes 08/15/2024.

You can purchase A Grove by The Sea on the Arquiste website here and at fine stockists.

Carlos Huber was featured in our Profiles in American Perfumery Series in 2012 here

We congratulate Arquiste who won their second Fragrance Foundation Award 2024 for L’Or de Louis in the Indie Category. Arquiste Misfit received a Fragrance Foundation award in 2021.

Arquiste Anima Dulcis is a ÇaFleureBon Modern Masterpiece. Read Ermano’s article.

Read Lauryn’s review of Arquiste Venice Rococo here.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonoffical @olyabar @arquiste @arquistecarlos @rodrigofloresroux

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18 comments

  • AromaDulce73 says:

    I loved my trip to the Mediterranean and to have a fragrance in my collection that reminds me of that would be amazing.

    This would be my 1st time smelling anything from Arquiste. Winning the sample set would be such a great way to explore the house.

    Los Angeles Ca. USA

  • Probably the closest I will ever get to a Mediterranean vacation.
    Notes sound amazing.
    Misfit is my favorite Arquiste scent.
    Oklahoma USA

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    A Grove by the Sea sounds really unique and interesting. An escape to an old European City. I haven’t tried anything from this house, but I’ve been wanting to check out Sydney Rock Pool for a long time. I live in Maryland USA.

  • I’ve been anxiously awaiting this fragrance since I first heard about it last month. I have a fig and 2 olive trees in my yard. Love the photos for this article. I could totally be at peace at this location. My favorites of the line are Anima Dulcis and Architects Club. I haven’t heard of Venice Rococo. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • Sounds like a lovely, peaceful vacation of a scent by the review. I could use some lovely peaceful! The encompassing mood described is just what I would love to try this summer. Indigo Smoke is my favorite Arquiste so far, but Architect’s Club is a close second. Such lovely evocative fragrances!

  • ianbradleyandrews says:

    This is such an exciting brand. The new perfume sounds great but love fig. I would love to win and live in Indiana.

  • The review really builds excitement around the brand and their new offerings. I haven’t smelled anything from this brand so the discovery set would be a good introduction to them. Thanks for the opportunity.

    From the USA

  • I’ve been dying to try this one ever since I heard about the release! I’m a sucker for fig notes and Arquiste makes such creative perfumes. I also love a salt note, especially as Olya described it, and am very curious about the olive oil note as well. I’ve also really wanted to try Sydney Rock Pool for ages, so I’m very excited about the opportunity to win a discovery set. My favorite one I’ve tried from Arquiste so far is L’Or de Louis. I’m in MN, USA!

  • I’d love to see how the olive works out here…and the olive oil. I’m a fan of both and imagine that this blend takes them to a beautiful place. Olya has written an evocative review of Arquiste A Grove by the Sea – a perfume that siren-songs perfume lovers in search of a whole new, “savory” experience. Wonderful challenge! I live in NY.

  • I’ve never tried any Arquiste and I would love to try their sample set. A grove by the sea sounds especially interesting. I’m always curious about an olive note. Reminds me of the first time I saw this with Slumberhouse’s Pear and Olive. I love a savory twist. Thank you for this beautiful writeup and giveaway.

  • What an enchanting review! I would love to experience a Mediterranean island vacation! I love the idea of an ‘olfactive time capsule’. Figs are my favorite fruit and fig leaves are one of my favorite scents. I do not have a favorite Arquiste fragrance–their fragrances are not available nearby.
    Thank you for the drawing.
    I live in the US.

  • David Furman says:

    This is a Mediterranean medley and really uses the fig plant. Both leaves and the fruit which is kinda cool. I’ve never seen olive oil or red clay on a fragrance. I imagine a bright, green, and clean smelling balsamic. This is probably a pleasant wear and not too heavy. From Jacksonville, NC.

  • (Colorado, USA) I own Anima Dulcis and it is truly inspiring. I have high hopes for this fragrance. To me, the salty olive and the fig are what really stand out. Another thing which draws me in is the historical reference to Lopud, the Dubrovnik Republic, and the Croatian coast…all of which are so rich in history.

  • I love the buttery-saline smell of olives, but I don’t see it too often in fragrances, and A Grove by The Sea combines it with the brisk smells of a sunny coastal day. The fig here also sounds wonderful; juicy and fresh, bringing out the fruity aspect of the olives, and providing enough sweetness to balance the fragrance. I’d love to try this new Arquiste. I haven’t yet tried any of the brand’s fragrances.

    I’m in the USA.

  • I loved this review! The only Arquiste fragrance I’ve tried was Indigo Smoke and it was beautiful! Just a whisper of smoke. Having just returned from Italy (my first time) I am longing for the Mediterranean and all the scenery and smells of the area. A Grove By The Sea sounds like what I need to fulfill my desire to return, for now. 🙂 A luxurious yet grounding aromatic escape is what Olya said of this fragrance and that intrigues me.

    I would love to win the sample set! I’m in the USA.

  • foreverscents says:

    Arquiste is the most transporting house there is. My favorite in Nanban. One spray and I am on a cargo ship to the spice islands. I read the notes of A Grove by the Sea and was transported to a fig groves near the Mediterranean Sea. I am curious about the black olive and olive oil notes.
    I live in the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the beautiful review Olya.

    This fragrance is maknig me thing think and long for all things summer, as we slowly move into fall. The though of green fig and salty olives, just wants me to look at flights to warmer and temperate climates. The olive oil accord is one that colors me intrigued.

    I have not tried this brand and would really love to.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • This sounds amazing I just love their Indogo Smoke! I lived in Kebanon on and off so the Mediterranean is close to my heart. I am in California.