Vino-Therapy

Sipping a glass of wine is one of life's most relaxing rituals. Associated with leisure and pleasure, vino-therapy now claims a wide range of proven health and beauty benefits.

Vino-Therapy, the use of wine and grapes in ritual skin and healthcare, dates back to the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome and the Middle East. Early healers and philosophers recognized that drinking wine was not only pleasurable but also healthful in moderation. They explored its topical uses as well. Hippocrates prescribed wine to disinfect wounds and purge fevers and folk healers of Europe were credited with having cured epidermal diseases with an ointment made from grapevine sap. Today's wellness-oriented guests turn to spas for vino-therapeutic treatments to improve their skin and for the sensation of relaxation and escape.

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Joseph Vercauteren, Ph.D., a professor at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Bordeaux, discovered that the grape seeds are rich in polyphenols, which have positive effects on human skin. Polyphenols are stronger and more effective than Vitamin E. They reduce exposure to environment stressors that are responsible for wrinkles and skin aging. They can improve circulation by strengthening blood vessels. They also have anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. This polyphenols found in red wine acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Eminence Organic Skin Care recently began utilizing Tokay, a sweet Hungarian wine, rich in antioxidants and nutrients in its products. Its components are effective in contracting hyper-pigmentation and improving skin texture. When applied topically and given ample time to settle into the skin, as afforded by a mask, compounds in wine will reduce signs of aging and refine the dermis, restoring vitality. Key ingredients include antioxidant-rich grape seed, polyphenols, anti-aging and firming resveratrol from the stalks, brightening viniferine from the sap, hydrating vinolevure from the walls of wine yeast, and a naturally exfoliating grape acid.

Temecula Wine Country attracts visitors from all over the world and The Beauty Studio welcomes guests who wish to relax after a day of vineyard touring and tasting. Agnes Freeman, our Skin Care Professional, has created a 60 minute treatment. It begins with a tasting, your choice of white or red wine. For the skin, she mixes raw honey, cinnamon and grape seeds, and soaks the client in red wine to dissolve unwanted skin cells. A Tokay Hungarian wine mask, with essential oils, is freshly prepared for each client's skin and warmed before application. This is thoroughly massaged into the skin, creating a feast for the senses. Her creation is anti-aging magic that promotes relaxation and rejuvenation.