In less than 10 years, vinotherapy has become a celebrated development in the spa industries of Europe, South Africa and South America. Now, wine spas are gaining momentum in the US and Canada.
Science of Vinotherapy
Wine grapes contain natural antioxidants called polyphenols that exfoliate, detoxify, cool inflammation, and soften and repair damaged skin. Sixty percent of extractable grape polyphenols are in the grade seed. Thirty percent are in the grape skin and less than 10 percent are in the pulp, according to Tarac Technologies, an Austrialia-based company that works on the research and development of technology to turn wine residuals into commercial products.
Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol found in the skin of the grape. Red and purple grapes have significantly more resveratrol than green grapes, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. This is because red and purple grapes are fermented longer with the grape skins. Grape seeds have strong anti-aging properties that fight damaging compounds in the skin called free radicals.
History of Vinotherapy
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. This was 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. The success of the first spa prompted the couple to open another wine spa in 2003, this one in the Italian Piedmont. They also opened a spa in Spain in 2006 and in New York City at The Plaza Hotel in 2008.
Vinotherapy Treatments
In an interview with ITN Entertainment Diane Hanson, owner of Delluva Spa, says red wine by-products help to increase blood-flow to the skin which makes it healthier and better looking. White wine aids in brightening the skin. To use the grapes for spa treatments, the grape mixture is dried and ground into a fine pulp. Other natural ingredients are added to the pulp to combat possible irritation on human skin from the grape's natural yeast. Below are some examples of treatments:
- Wine barrel baths – this warm jacuzzi bath is filled with grape residue and essential oils.
- Cabernet scrub – sea salt, honey, grape seed oil and grape seeds create an invigorating treatment that exfoliates and moisturizes.
- Wine wrap – crushed grape seed, red wine and herbs are boiled together. A large towel is soaked in the liquid and then wrapped around the client along with a heated layer.
Top Wine Spas
Here is a partial list of spas throughout the United States and Canada and their vinotherapy treatments.
- Kenwood Inn & Spa, Kenwood, California: wine country facial, wine bath, wine wrap and grape seed oil massage
- The Inn at Château Élan, Braselton, Georgia: harvest crush exfoliation, champagne and chocolate caviar pedicure/manicure, Cabernet hot stone pedicure and manicure with paraffin
- Brentwood Bay Lodge and Spa, Victoria, British Columbia: vino massage, vino bath, vino and honey wrap, and vino stomp pedicure
- Beyond Wrapture Mind and Body Care Day Spa and Retreat, Kelowna, British Columbia: red or white wine vinotherapy massage
- Delluva Spa & Salon, New York, NY: full menu of vinotherapy treatment and also a line of vinotherapy beauty products.
Vinotherapy is the ultimate treat for wine-lovers who also enjoy a day at the spa.
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