When you hear the word “vinotherapy,” what do you think of? You may be picturing kicking your shoes off, sitting on the couch, and popping open a brand new bottle of wine. It sounds like the epitome of relaxation, right? Well, vinotherapy is even more than that. Wine lovers throughout the world have been dipping their toes into this emerging trend that offers an optimal wine relaxation experience.
Vinotherapy is a treatment that uses different by-products of wine in spa treatments. We’ve been hearing for a while that red wine has a variety of health benefits; and with vinotherapy, these benefits are put to the test.
This type of therapy harnesses the effects of the by-products of red wine. Due to the powerful antioxidants in grapes, red wine has been proven to reduce aging, relieve pain, and more. Vinotherapy uses the seeds, skins, and stems for treatments.
You may have even seen how vinotherapy has taken the wine world for a loop. Athletes have been reported to bathe in red wine, people are trying it at home, and even some of the world’s finest spas have been adding different vinotherapy treatments to their menu.
Vinotherapy’s Beginning
While vinotherapy has been a trending topic lately, it is anything but new. We’re just only now starting to discover how to incorporate vinotherapy into spa treatments, but the French have known about this for quite some time.
As the wine capital of the world, it’s no surprise that France is the home of vinotherapy. The origins can be traced back to the early 1970s when a pharmacist discovered that grapes are rich in polyphenols and are beneficial for the skin.
When everyone started to discover the health benefits of wine, they started drinking a glass to keep their heart in good shape. That glass a day eventually evolved into a hot trend adopted by the spa industry.
A Treatment a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
After experimenting with vinotherapy, many parties have seen substantial benefits. Though there is not yet any substantial proof that vinotherapy offers particular health benefits, those who have experienced it saw the following changes:
- Muscle relaxation
- Cell growth stimulation
- Accelerates wound healing and encourages the growth of new cells
- Youthful appearance and tissue elasticity
- When the antioxidants in red grapes come in contact with the skin, they smooth it out and add elasticity that results in a younger and brighter look. People have been increasingly using vinotherapy as an anti-aging treatment.
- Anti-inflammation
- In addition to making skin look brighter, vinotherapy fights inflammation for a beautiful and even appearance.
- Skin softness
- Patients of vinotherapy have noted that their skin instantly felt softer afterward. Even a week or two after, people observed that their skin is substantially softer to the touch.
- Calmness and relaxation
- Because who wouldn’t be relaxed if they were immersed in wine?
The antioxidants in the by-products of grapes makes all of these results possible. Vinotherapy single-handedly stimulates collagen, supports capillary health, and offers polyphenols to ultimately result in stress reduction and a more youthful appearance of skin.
Seeing as healthier skin and relaxation are the two main components of every spa day, many spas have been dedicating their menu to vinotherapy. And these spas aren’t just in France, either. New wine spas have been popping up in New York, California, and everywhere in between.
Not Your Ordinary Spa Day
After discovering all that the by-products of wine can do, spas jumped at the opportunity to add vinotherapy to their menu. After doing some research of their own and combining different products, they developed several ways for guests to be fully immersed in relaxation.
And it’s not just wine spas that are giving into vinotherapy, either. Wineries throughout the world have been offering spa products, such as lotions and scrubs infused with grapes, as samples in their tasting rooms.
Vinotherapy started with individuals bathing in red wine. As a treatment that can be done at home, this was the first popular trend. To find out what else the by-products of wine can do, spas worked them into their regular menu of treatments.
Spas have been using the seeds, skins, and stems of grapes as a substitute for other products they would use in their typical treatments. In addition to wine baths, spas have been offering body scrubs, wraps, massages, and facials.
Vinotherapy typically comes as one part of a full package in spas. Customers can enjoy a delicious range of different wine therapy packages in addition to a glass to sip on along the way.
Packages have been created around Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. Within a package, spa-goers can expect facials, massages, and other calming treatments that incorporate a specific type of red wine.
Creating a Wine Experience
For those who aren’t planning a spa trip any time soon, vinotherapy can come in many forms. Pick up a wine-infused spa product from a winery, bathe in wine at home, or just buy a bottle of Merlot and improvise from there.
As you can see, vinotherapy is a very unique experience that allows people all over the world to relax with the help of a trusted companion (a glass of wine, of course). Now that you know the facts, you’re ready to find wine spas for yourself or take a shot at creating your own products.
When it comes to wine, there’s always something new to learn. While vinotherapy is one of the hottest wine trends right now, there’s always a wealth of wine-formation at your fingertips. There’s no way to know it all, but this is certainly a great place to start.
Begin your vinotherapy journey by stocking up at WTSO. Our online wine store offers all the red favorites you need to create the perfect relaxing day — and if you don’t see your top choice, just give us a call!
Wow! Another CA Wildfire. Can you believe it? This one is in Sonama County in Kincade CA from what I read. Makes me happy I live in an area that doesn’t get wildfires…