[Image: Courtesy of Evangeline Spa]In Tampa, Florida, the culinary-minded Epicurean Hotel aims to “tantalize the palate, as well as mind and body.” At its on-site Evangeline Spa, French vinotherapy skincare line Caudalie takes center stage in three 50-minute facials ($125 each). All services conclude with a complimentary glass of wine, which “adds an extra enhancement to their treatment,” says spa director Sheen Mahmud. “We serve Pinot Grigio—a rich and fruity taste that our spa guests love. It pairs especially well with our aptly named Pinot Grigio pedicure (30 min./$45).”
The spa’s focus on wine has helped it attract professional women on weeknights, and corporate retreat bookings in particular have grown significantly. For the latter, Mahmud brings out the big guns, setting up a table with organic fruit and Moët & Chandon on ice. “These touches create a sophisticated experience,” she points out.
[Image: Courtesy of Kingsmill Resort]Also hopping on the spa-meets- local-winery bandwagon is The Spa at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, which partners with the local Williamsburg Winery. By paying upwards of $7 per glass (or $28 per bottle), guests can tack on wine to any treatment. It’s a relatively inexpensive cost for r management, but goes a long way to elevate the guest experience, reports spa director Jess Nichols. The most requested pours? White wines such as Pinot Grigio, Prosecco and Chardonnay.
Evensong Spa at Heidel House Resort & Spa in Green Lake, Wisconsin, debuted two new vinotherapy treatments in 2015, including a Wine Down Body Relaxer (50 min./$100), which features a serum made with wine grapes. After all treatments, guests are served a complimentary glass of Wisconsin wine to extend the chilled-out vibe. Other local vino varieties are offered in the spa café alongside Wisconsin cheese plates, a pairing that’s incredibly popular with groups of girlfriends, reports spa director Druellen Kosti.
In an effort to keep year-round bookings healthy, Kosti rolled out Wednesday-night wine-and-yoga events between November and April. A 45-minute yoga session is followed by a tasting of wines from nearby Vines & Rushes Winery (additional selections carry a fee). The idea came to Kosti three years ago, when she noticed the winery hosting outdoor yoga and approached the owners about starting a partnership. The ensuing cross-promotion introduced a lot of new local clients to the spa, she reports. “A glass or two of wine does relax people,” she says. “However, we try not to promote heavy drinking, especially with a massage. Drinking and spa-going can go hand in hand, but we’re not a bar!”
