From Napa Valley to Piedmont, Italy, sommeliers from around the U.S. teamed up to take you on a sensory journey to lands near and far.
Wine production country of Saint-Emilion in France
When Charleston-based owner of Rewined candles Adam Fetsch first started handcrafting candles in the mid-aughts, there was no telling what the future would hold.
Working in a Charleston, South Carolina restaurant at the time, Fetsch says he would spend hours sourcing wine bottles that he would up-cycle and use as the vessels for his wine-scented creations.
Today, Rewined candles are sold all around the world, and while the company no longer uses repurposed wine bottles to house their wares, they recently introduced a new Sommelier Series that captures the essence and characteristics of some of the world’s most prominent wine regions and varietals.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this project was not just the creation of these unique scents, but also the immersive process of working closely and getting to know each sommelier,”Rewined owner Adam Fetsch said. “Through this collaboration, we delved into their world, learning about their journeys, experiences, and the deep passion they hold for their chosen varietals.”
The Sommelier Series is a limited edition collection available now.
While Fetsch says his love of travel has long played a role in his connection to the wine world, it was though these collaborations that he was able tell new stories through the transformative power of scent. “Travel has always been a cornerstone of inspiration for me, and visits to vineyards and wineries across Italy and France have been pivotal in shaping my personal perspective on wine culture,” Fetsch said.
After years of creating candles that tell unique stories around travel, food, and wine, after teaming up with sommeliers from around the country, Fetsch says the Sommelier Series was informed by everything from varietal selection to fragrance notes from around the world.
“The resulting scents are not just a reflection of their preferred wines, but also a narrative of their personal stories and the intricate world of wine they inhabit,” Fetsch says. “Scents have a powerful way of evoking memories and feelings, and our candles aim to encapsulate this quality.”
One of the most rewarding parts of this project was not just the creation of these unique scents, ... [+]
Over its tenure, Rewined has leaned heavily on food and beverage industry professionals to help develop unique scents and shape their collections, and the new series was no exception, says Fetsch. In particular, the Sommelier Series was brought to life in collaboration with Charleston-based sommelier and The Tippling House owner Matthew Conway who helped Fetsch forge connections with sommeliers around the country.
“By collaborating with these experts, the project became more than just creating candles; it transformed into a narrative medium, telling unique and personal stories of the wine world,” Fetsch said.
The signature grape found in Northern Rhone, Conway’s contribution to the collection includes a Syrah-scented candle whose flavor profile blend dark berries, black pepper and violets typical of the terroir there.
Fetsch says he hasn’t traveled to all the regions represented in the series, however he recently he took his team on a trip to Napa and Sonoma, California which he says helped shape his understanding when it comes to capturing the essence a that particular region. “The essence of these places has been vividly brought to life through the experiences and stories shared by the sommeliers we collaborated with,” Fetsch said.
Syrah Candle
Created in collaboration with Atlanta-based sommelier Eduardo Porto Carreiro, a Gamay-scented candle was inspired by the “often misunderstood” grapes found in the Beaujolais region of France and features notes of orange peel, cherry, peppercorn and black tea.
“Scents have a powerful way of evoking memories and feelings, and our candles aim to encapsulate this quality,” Fetsch said. “For someone who has experienced the wine regions that inspired our candles, lighting one might recall memories of a trip or bring back the ambiance of a specific place; For others, it can be an imaginative journey, offering a sensory glimpse into a world they haven’t physically visited, he added.”
landscape with vineyards and church in Italy, Piedmont
Inspired by the Borolo’s and Barbaresco’s found in Italy’s Piedmont region, sommelier David Rosoff crafted a Nebbiolo that infuses earthy notes of forest leaves, coriander, and red oak that express the regions true essence.
“Our goal is to create an experience that transcends the physical candle, allowing the aroma to carry you to vineyards and wine cellars, offering a momentary escape to these enchanting wine regions,” Fetsch said. “Each candle, with its unique fragrance profile, is like a sensory postcard from a different part of the wine world,” he added.
