Life Is Simply Rosy At Russian River Rose Company

Roses and irises and perennials, oh my! Every year during April and May, and again in the fall, the Russian River Rose Company holds open gardens and unique events centered around their specialties, roses and irises. But one of the most unique experiences is their Perfume Harvest Tours held in the spring.

The scents of clove and cinnamon top the scent of newly applied rose perfume, slowly the aroma blends with skin oils settling into a sweet rose scent wafting the air delicately. Many perfumes on the market are made with synthetic chemicals but the rose water and rose oils at Russian River Rose Company are the real deal.

Three types of renowned roses blend into each year’s vintage of perfume. Just as a fine Zinfandel or Chardonnay will have varying notes and a different taste each year, so do perfumes.

“Roses have vintages, just as wines do,” said Jan Tolmasoff. “Some years one rose will bloom first—it depends on the weather.”

This year’s crop is blooming a little late, due to the March rains and unseasonably cold weather. Mike Tolmasoff is in charge of distilling the roses into rose water and perfume and each year’s perfume production is limited.

Kazanlik is the name of an ancient Bulgarian rose that’s been known since the 1600s and it is one of four species that go into the oil. The others are a trade secret, but include a Persian rose as well as two French roses.

“Rose water can be used in cooking and for the skin,” said Jan Tolmasoff. “Each vintage has a remarkable complexity.

“All that goes into wine goes on in roses,” she continued.

Jan Tolmasoff started collecting roses in 1977, first when given a gift of a rose by her grandmother, and later, when they planted roses at the end of vineyard rows. They began with the “varietals” Charisma, Cherish, Love, Honor and Show Biz. While Love and Show Biz went by the wayside, as some roses do, the other three still reside in the gardens.

Russian River Rose Company came into being in 1992, after the conversion of some vineyard to themed beds. In addition to roses, the gardens are filled with complimentary irises and perennials. Primarily the Tolmasoffs took cut roses to the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market to sell by the bunch. More and more people asked to see the roses in situ, so they began the nursery in 1996.

And ’96 is also the year they traveled to Bulgaria, as Michael Tolmasoff became interested in the chemistry of perfume after reading an article in The Smithsonian magazine.

They began by planting 30 different roses historically known to be used in perfume, or in some cases, roses that just sounded interesting. The roses, planted on a sunny hillside in Dry Creek, were sited on property owned by Don Frank. For three years, they tested and made their choices of the finest scented roses for their oils and waters.

Heat is the nemesis of perfume makers. Rose oil is volatile, evaporating into the air as the temperature rises.

“This couldn’t be done in Fresno,” Jan Tolmasoff said. Then she laughed. “The roses need a long, cool spring and summer.

“And just as the marine influence works on grapes, it works on roses, too,” she continued. “Bloom time is later and this is important to the oil.

Rose information and flower quotes abound on plaques in the gardens. Russian River Rose Company has 650 species of roses and more than 100 of iris. The gardens include three Polyantha roses bred by Jan Tolmasoff with her grandson, William. Registered in 2005 with the American Rose Society, the roses bear the names “Little White Star,” “Fluffy Cloud” and “Pink Sweetie.”

 “I want everyone to enjoy the gardens,” said Tolmasoff. “People can come out and take the self-guided garden tour or just wander around.”

The nursery and gardens are open weekends from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., except for Mother’s Day, when they close at 4:00 p.m. In addition to the nursery and gardens, special presentations are given at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and include gardening skills, tips and handouts.

Perfume Harvest Tours require reservations and are offered most Thursday, Saturday and Sundays through the end of May. For more information or to make a reservation click here or call 433-7455

In the interest of full disclosure, the writer has a working association with the Tolmasoffs.