Grapes, grapes, grapes

Does a "hot honey and wine wrap" with wine yeast and Bordeaux honey and oils sound appealing? Maybe a "merlot wrap" with bentonite clay and essential oils would be better. Of course, there is also a "wine bath" with grape extracts, or a "crushed cabernet scrub" with grape seeds and honey.

These are just a few of the treatments offered at the private Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at Turnberry Place. Located within The Stirling Club at the high-rise development, the spa pampers members with beauty products containing the grape-seed extract from a French winery, as well as the juices and pulp of fresh grapes.

"Our spa is unique because we use Caudalie products, which are developed in France using grape seeds. Our treatments contain grape seeds and grape-seed oil ... We are the exclusive Caudalie spa in the United States; there are only two other Vinotherapie spas and they are both in France," Myrna Beardshear, director of spa and fitness, said.

"There seems to be a paradox that the population in parts of France has a low rate of heart disease in spite of having a high-fat diet. They are looking good though, because of the red wine that they are drinking, which contains polyphenols."

The Vinotherapie concept and the Caudalie products are born from this paradox. According to Beardshear, the polyphenols extracted from the grape seeds are high in antioxidants, which are beneficial to one's health when consumed and beneficial to the body when applied to the skin.

"The facials are our most popular treatments and massages are also popular," said Beardshear, who completed specialized training in France before the spa opened late last year. "Women more traditionally enjoy spa treatments, but it has been growing in popularity with men. The percentage of men having a facial or massage has increased to about 40 percent men and 60 percent women."

So, how are the grape treatments? Two grape-based treatments that I tried can be described in one word: relaxing.

During a 75-minute "pulp friction massage," massage therapist Christina Griffin gently rubbed smashed fresh grapes onto my tense body in a sunlit room filled with soothing music and the aroma of scented candles. After a 40-minute massage, I was wrapped in a heated blanket for about 10 minutes, and then the grape remains were washed off in a steamy shower. The treatment ended with body lotion containing polyphenols. The cost for this procedure: $125.

"The whole (pulp friction massage) treatment tones your skin and provides light exfoliation. The lotion soothes your body and is very moisturizing," Beardshear said.

My face was the focus of a second treatment, a 90-minute "boosted polyphenols and Vinolift." The facial, priced at $145, is considered to be revitalizing and incorporates an electric current and grape water. Following a skin analysis, Konstanina Panagopoulos cleansed my face, gently sprayed it with grape water, and applied several products, including an elixir, scrub and more grape water, in preparation for the Vinolift.

"After we apply the Vinolift serum, we apply galvanic and ultrasound current to the face. It stimulates the muscles in the face, helps the circulation and any open pores. It is very stimulating and regenerating, and also very healing. We use it as a stimulating effect as far as the anti-aging procedure is concerned," Beardshear said.

After the serum was removed, oils were massaged onto my face and a thermal mask was applied.

"The mask actually heats up and brings the blood to the surface of the skin. It is very firming of the skin and helps with the effect of lifting the face," Beardshear said.

While the mask warmed my skin, grape oils were massaged onto my feet and hands, which were then warmed in heated foot and hand coverings. After the mask and coverings were removed, grape water and conditioners were applied, and I was sent on my merry way.

I left the spa with a face aglow and my body relaxed. Grapes, in the right hands, can work wonders.

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