The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Sunset Over Santorini was launched in 2010 by Parfumerie Naturelle, with Raphaël Haury composing its citrus, woody, aromatic character. Bergamot, grapefruit, and tangerine establish brightness. Vetiver, sandalwood, and cedar give the center weight and texture. Tonka bean and amber then provide a rounded, warm finish. The opening is direct and lucid, with the citrus notes presenting a clean, bracing freshness. As the fragrance develops, vetiver introduces a dry herbal character that keeps the fruit accord from seeming overly sweet. Sandalwood adds a smooth, creamy texture, while cedar lends structure and a gently woody depth. In the drydown, tonka bean and amber soften the composition with warmth and subtle sweetness.
The striking part is the handoff from citrus into dry wood. Bergamot, grapefruit, and tangerine bring immediate brightness, but vetiver gives the opening a drier, more herbal character. Sandalwood and cedar make the middle creamy, polished, and quietly earthy. Then tonka bean and amber bend that structure inward with softness and warmth. The result has a useful tension: it can feel lively and airy while remaining grounded. The opening citrus notes retain their clarity as vetiver unfolds, creating a more complex aromatic profile rather than a straightforward fresh splash.
The evolution
The first impression is citrus with an edge. Bergamot, grapefruit, and tangerine appear clearly and directly, but vetiver soon rises through them, giving the brightness a dry, herbal shadow. Within the opening phase, the scent develops from clean fruit notes into a more textured citrus-woody accord. Grapefruit adds a sharper facet, while bergamot contributes a polished citrus character and tangerine brings a rounder sweetness. As the heart develops, sandalwood and cedar smooth the sharper edges. The citrus recedes without disappearing, leaving a creamy citrus-woody character that feels polished rather than heavy. That middle stretch carries much of the fragrance's easy versatility. As the drydown develops, tonka bean and amber soften the woods and leave a warm, lightly sweet trail.
Cultural impact
Sunset Over Santorini is a citrus-woody fragrance built around a clear progression of contrasting notes. Bergamot, grapefruit, and tangerine create an energetic opening, while vetiver introduces a dry herbal edge. Sandalwood and cedar add polished depth, and tonka bean and amber provide a warm finish. The composition is notable for its measured balance: citrus remains present as the woods develop, creating a smooth progression rather than a sharp separation between fresh and warm accords.
The House
Parfumerie NaturelleParfumerie Naturelle presents fragrances through an extract-led approach, with compositions built around distinct natural materials and evocative places. Its catalogue includes Ararat, released in 2010, and Sunset Over Santorini, also released in 2010. These titles suggest a focus on atmosphere and place rather than a single decorative floral signature. The available material also points to a minimalist product philosophy, including a single-ingredient eau de parfum designed for wearing alone or layering. However, the research supplied does not establish the brand’s founding year, founder, production base, or full sourcing and manufacturing history. It is therefore possible to describe the house’s evident fragrance direction, but not to attribute a complete company biography to it without further substantiation.
The Creator
Raphaël HauryWithout access to his specific fragrance portfolio, style assessment remains speculative. Independent perfumers of his generation often favor natural-heavy constructions with pronounced texture and a preference for warm, resinous bases.
