It’s recently been reported by ESPN that New York Knick’s superstar Amar’e Stoudemire rejuvenates his body by taking baths in red wine. Wine baths are an offshoot of vinotherapy, a beauty therapy treatment where the remnants of wine making are applied to the skin. Stoudemire says, "The red wine bath is very important to me because it allows me to create more circulation in my red blood cells. Plus, it's very hot, so it's like a hot tub. But it's also the red wine... just kind of soothes the body."
How and why do these wine baths work? The pulp is said to have exceptional exfoliating qualities, and the grape and vine extracts help reduce the problems associated with ageing. With vinotherapy gaining in popularity, Grape Collective takes a look at wine-related spa treatments offered by some of the world’s top spas.
The concept of vinotherapy was created by Mathilde Cathiard-Thomas and her husband Bertrand Thomas. The couple learned about the powerful impact of grape seeds, skins and stems on skin from a professor at Pharmacy Faculty of Bordeaux. In 1995, the Thomas’ launched a line of beauty products made from grape by-products; the first time stabilized polyphenols were used in dermo-cosmetics. The pair followed the line with the opening of the world’s first wine spa in 1999. The spa is called Les Sources de Caudalie and is located in a castle in the Bordeaux region in France. Several other locations followed, including the Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa located in New York City’s legendary Plaza Hotel and the Vinothérapie SPA Caudalie Marqués de Riscal in Spain’s Hotel Marqués de Riscal.
An oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation, Caudalie Spa offers an extensive menu of vinotherapy treatments such as Red Vine Bath, Grape Marc Bath, Pulpe Friction, Honey Wine Wrap, Merlot Wrap, Wine Maker’s Massage, and Fresh Grape Manicures and Pedicures. All treatments offer the restorative benefits of grape and grapevine polyphenols. In addition, enjoy the French Paradox Wine Lounge and sommelier for a unique spa experience like no other.
For more information on locations and services, visit the website here.
Amidst the vineyards in the heart of Sonoma County is the Kenwood Inn and Spa, the premier destination for visitors seeking the ultimate wine country hotel experience.Offering personalized service in lush surroundings, the Spa at Kenwood Inn has been named one of the leading spas in the country by many publications including Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Kenwood offers an extensive array of products and services for relaxed pampering including the Pinot Noir Bath, a deeply therapeutic soak enriched in stimulating and exfoliating Red Vine extract. Or try the Crushed Cabernet Scrub, a refining and invigorating scrub ideal for all skin types seeking renewal.
For more information on the services offered at The Spa at Kenwood Inn, visit the website here.
Located in California’s Napa Valley region is the Carneros Inn, a luxury resort and spa where tranquility and nature are provided by the beautiful vineyard setting and abundant surrounding farmlands. The spa boasts a variety of services and is truly a private oasis where you can enjoy restorative treatments by skilled therapists. An assortment of vinotherapy treatments is offered, including the Rosemary Mint and Cabernet Wrap; a grapeseed exfoliation followed by a luxurious Cabernet mud wrap. Or try the Rosemary Mint Grapeseed Scrub, an invigorating grapeseed exfoliation with essences of rosemary and mint followed by an application of lavender oil.
For additional services and more information visit the site here.
Spain’s Hotel Peralada is a wine spa and golf resort that is proud to offer an array of vinotherapy services and packages with a focus on health-promoting and circulation-improving treatments. Try the Peeling with Grape Seeds Body Treatment; a grape seed body scrub for regenerating the skin. For extreme moisturizing, the Gran Reserva Elixir of Youth is an antioxidant body wrap with red wine lees. Facials include the Flash Optimum Grape, a 50-minute deep-cleansing treatment with wine polyphenols. The Hotel Peralada Wine Spa also features their own cosmetic line, highlighting the powerful antioxidant, moisturizing and regenerating benefits of vinotherapy. Check out the Hand Soap with Wine Extract or the Merlot Grape Shampoo.
For more information visit the spa’s website here.
Situated in the heart of scenic Tuscany, Italy is the Adler Thermae luxury spa hotel. At the Adler Spa you can experience a range of wine therapy services and organic products that use ingredients from the untouched natural landscapes of Tuscany and the Dolomites. The Brunello Body Scrub and Wrap is a feel-good anti-ageing treatment with wine and grape-seed that cleanses and regenerates the whole body. The Facial Treatment with Grapes is a natural elixir for rejuvenation; the anti-oxidative agents in the red grapes give your face a relaxed and youthful radiance. For a truly relaxing experience, check out the Bacchus Ritual; a bath enriched with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano combined with grapeseed peeling and regenerating massage.
For more information visit the website here.
Loisium Hotel Wine & Spa Resort Langenlois
Designed by famous American architect Steven Holl, the Loisium Hotel is located just outside of Vienna and features Austria’s first Aveda Destination Spa. The spa is situated on more then 1,000 square meters and features twelve treatment rooms. Some of their services include the Grape Elixir, a salt and grape seed body peel accompanied by a relaxing massage, and Riesling or Morillon Wine Treatments. These specials include a relaxing foot-pampering ceremony, full body massage, and a glass of wine to complete the experience.
Find out more at the spa’s website here.
Conveniently located just 40 minutes from Cape Town, the Santé Hotel, Resort and Spa is a holistic wellness center that sits on a 160-hectare working wine estate in the Paarl/Franschhoek Valley in South Africa. The Bakwena Spa at Santé offers authentic vinotherapy treatments like the Pinotage Vino-Bath Treatment or the Vichy/Hammam Ceremony, which includes a grape seed exfoliation and Merlot-infused foam massage. Also offered are a Grape Skin Wine Casket Bath and a Chardonnay Cocoon Wrap.
To learn more, visit the website here.
