Scents of Appellation

A place-based botanical scent journey created exclusively for Appellation Hotel with Jess Mennella, founder of FLWR Napa Valley. Experience nine scents inspired by Sonoma County's vineyards, gardens, and landscape. Each scent reveals its unique aromatic character while inviting you to explore how place, memory, and emotion intersect through her expert guidance.

Features

A botanically based, guided smelling experience featuring nine scents inspired by Sonoma County, drawn from the vineyards, gardens, and surrounding landscape.
Each scent is introduced through its aromatic character and attributes, offering insight into its unique expression.
Guests are invited to slow down and smell each scent individually, noticing how place, memory, and emotion intersect.
Participants are encouraged to reflect on personal memories, sensations, or images that arise through smell.
The experience emphasizes connection to land rather than perfume trends or technical jargon, and is accessible to all levels.
The journey concludes with guests creating a personalized Aura Mist using the materials explored in class.
Appellation's chef crafted seasonal bites and local Sonoma County wines will be shared to compliment class conversations.

Local Perfumer

Jessica Mennella

Founder of FLWR Napa Valley

Jess Mennella is the founder and perfumer behind FLWR Napa Valley, a botanical perfume line rooted in place, memory, and the natural world. Working exclusively with plant-derived materials, her perfumes are created to help people slow down, reconnect with their senses, and experience scent as both an emotional and embodied practice.

Her work has been featured in museums, hospitality, winery, and cultural settings, and her FLWR Napa Valley perfumes are crafted in small batches using the essential oils, absolutes, and resins of the plants and flowers, sourced from around the world. Through both her perfumes and her teaching, Jess creates experiences that are intimate, grounding, and deeply sensory.

Testimonials

"The instructor was clear and creative. It was so relaxing!" - Cathy L.

"A great 2 hours with my daughter, we loved to make cookies together." - Jennifer G.

"We learned something new and now appreciate it." - Carrie M.

"Everyone was so friendly and I met some new ladies. Thank you so much for the special time!" – Marilys G.

"I loved the people, experience, atmosphere and learning." - Diane B.

"Very straight forward step-by-step directions, clear and concise. Lots of support and encouragement." - Renee L.