WHN Blog :: Mindful Adventures

There's more to Calistoga than Vinotherapy! And for those of you in northern California, you probably know what I'm referring to...the Bathhouse experience and the soothing and relaxing properties of a mud bath and thermal mineral waters. I've included a link for anyone wanting to review more history on the area and this gift from Mother Nature.

Since Spring is nearly here and tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, I thought I'd offer a short review of one 'green-driven' Spa Resort that may be of interest for anyone still looking for a 'Spring Break' idea or a weekend getaway.

Solage Calistoga, nearly three years old, is a unique and environmentally friendly resort in Napa's wine country. With 89 eco-friendly 'studios' and a focus on health and wellness, this resort has earned many awards over the last few years including a Michelin Star Rating and Conde Nast Traveller Awards for both the Spa and Resort.

What I like most about this resort is that it's intimate, offers an array of activities including guided hikes and mountain biking, yoga, Pilates and boot camp and has a spa. And I love that each studio has two bicycles to use while on the nearly 25-acre property.

Spa Solage, the 20,000 square foot spa, offers a number of services including soaks in the geo-thermal mineral waters, and The Mudslide Experience. It's a unique three-part treatment consisting of 'The Mud,' 'The Waters,' and 'The Rest' and offers a different experience for a historical Calistoga inspired mud bath.

For more information, visit their site at: www.solagecalistoga.com

Announcement: The Dear Donna column is back and on the Mindful Adventures blog page. It covers questions on travel, destination spas, spas, healthy living services/products.

I've been traveling again and stumbled across this amazing Wine Bar in Plymouth, Michigan. Yes, you read it right, Michigan in the winter (where snow isn't an issue). Grape Expections was such a great find that I've been back twice and plan on going again this weekend to enjoy another 'Flight' of their amazing selections, thanks to owner Lisa O'Donnell's great finds.

Grape Expectations is a hip and comfy Bisto-esque Wine Bar where you can enjoy a romantic evening, time with friends, or a solo adventure and their menu is outstanding as well.

So, back to wine. I'm a red-girl, so my first flight included the 'Red Blends Flight' and when I saw that Cline Cellars was on there, I couldn't wait to try the selection and as expected, it has become my new favorite by Cline....yes, it's none other than 'Cashmere,' a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. It is so smooth and luxurious. It offers a long finish and you can pick up the lingering flavors of cherries and chocolate. (Cline has also been included in my Top 10 for Valentine's Day.)

And, I made a discovery about my choice of wines. It seems that most of the wines I adore are a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre or parts thereof. You would think I'd have discovered that sooner since I'm also a fan of Le Mistral (when you can get it!).

Back to the 'Red Blends Flight' at Grape Expectations. The other two included Trentadue 'Old Patch Red,' a blend of Zinfandel, Petit Syrah, Carignane and Syrah as well as the third by Chateau Ste. Michelle, 'Orphelin,' which was impressive and what a blend. The majority (56%) was Syrah along with Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Touriga, Pino Noir and Viognier. It was a blend that I truly enjoyed and plan on getting more.

More on my Espana and Italia flights another time.....and do I have one for Italy...so until then, Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy a red!

Cline Cellars also sponsors Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

Coming soon. Another installment on Vinotherapy resorts in northern California!

You can look at Wikopedia's definition of Vinotherapy and it says, "describes a beauty therapy process where the residue of wine making (the pips and pulp) are rubbed into the skin. The pulp is said to have excellent exfoliating qualities and help reduce the problems associated with ageing."

And, yes, that is correct, however there's more to Vinotherapy/Vinothérapie and it's beginnings. Read on....

It all began during a grape harvest in 1993 on the family estate, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, when Mathilde and Bertrande Thomas met Doctor Vercauteren, a professor at the University of Pharmacy of Bordeaux. The conversation was about grape seeds. The amazing history continues with a patent in 1994 for their anti-aging products utilizing grape-seed polyphenols and in 1995, their company Caudalie was born. And, if you'd like to review the full history of this wonderful story, click here.

As we know from this point in recent history, there are amazing benefits in grape seed polyphenols, such as their anti-oxidant power in protecting the skin against free radicals. Vinotherapy spa services were introduced in the 1999 opening of the Thomas' Vinothérapie Spa at Les Sources de Caudalie spa in Bordeaux, France and over the last several years we've seen Vinotherapy spa services emerge here in the U.S. and namely Wine Country, of course.

And, what an environmentally conscious process as well.

There are several Spas in Northern California's Wine Country and one that I'd like to mention first is Kenwood Inn & Spa in Kenwood, CA. I have wonderful memories of the last visit I had there and what I love most about Kenwood Inn is the Mediteranean atmosphere and the Spa. The oils are extracted from grape seeds and used in their topical treatments and the benefits are far reaching.

Two services to note include the Therapeutic Grape Seed Oil Massage (80-minutes of bliss!) and the Tiamo Couples Massage (Hint - Valentine's Day is coming). Tiamo is by candelight in the privacy of the guest's room and is an 80-minute service.

And, also noteworthy, the Kenwood Inn & Spa is the recipient of the Wine Enthusiast Award of Unique Distinction (for their wines) and the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List of The World's Best Places to Stay. Congratulations!

Many of the services incorporate 'Vinotherapy' by using red wine extracts, Chardonnay and Riesling oils to promote healing and relaxation.

There's no therapy like Vinotherapy! More to come in the days ahead.

Note: Caudalie's Vinothérapie® Spas are in Europe, Brazil, Turkey and yes, in the USA at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan (at Central Park).