Wine, wellness and travel: 7 destinations for a luxurious vinotherapy experience
For those who wish to experience Caudalie's vinotherapy treatments in Spain, La Rioja is the place to visit. Known for its centuries-old wine estates, La Rioja has leaned into vinotherapy with notable style. At Hotel Marques de Riscal—a striking Frank Gehry-designed property—Caudalie's full treatment menu is offered alongside panoramic vineyard views. The ingredients are locally sourced, and the spa makes use of grape polyphenols known for boosting collagen and improving skin elasticity. It's one of the few places where architecture, wine and wellness intersect with equal intensity. 3. Tuscany, Italy
Above Clusters of Sangiovese grapes ripen under the Tuscan sun—rich in antioxidants, they're the foundation of local vinotherapy rituals. (Photo: Kstudio / Freepik)
Vinotherapy in Tuscany feels less clinical and more rustic, though no less effective. At Castello di Casole, a Belmond hotel set on a historic estate, treatments focus on Sangiovese grapes grown on-site. Grape pulp, grapeseed oil and even red wine itself are used in various facials and massages. The spa menu includes antioxidant-rich wraps and exfoliations, drawing from both wine and olive oil traditions. It's a slower, more sensorial take on the vinotherapy trend. 4. Napa Valley, USA
California's wine country may be better known for tasting rooms than spa treatments, but Napa has carved out a niche in vinotherapy. Spa Terra at The Meritage Resort, located in an underground cave, offers Cabernet scrubs and grapeseed facials that highlight the region's signature varietals. The treatments are designed to counteract environmental stressors—particularly sun exposure—and offer a more grounded, no-fuss approach to wine-based skincare. 5. Mendoza, Argentina
At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza brings a different altitude to vinotherapy. Cavas Wine Lodge offers spa services that use Malbec grapes, which are known for their high concentration of polyphenols. Treatments include warm compresses soaked in wine and detoxifying grapeseed oil massages. The approach is less about opulence and more about results, and the surrounding snow-capped peaks add a scenic layer to the experience. 6. Douro Valley, Portugal
Six Senses Douro Valley takes vinotherapy seriously, integrating local grapes into its wellness philosophy. Treatments here focus on regional varietals, and the spa works with products that use crushed skins and seeds to exfoliate and repair. The Douro setting is as much a draw as the treatments, offering forest walks, river views and a quiet atmosphere that complements the restorative nature of vinotherapy. 7. Cape Winelands, South Africa
Above Vineyards at Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo: Wirestock / Freepik)
South Africa's wine regions are joining the vinotherapy conversation, with Stellenbosch leading the charge. At Lanzerac Spa and other nearby retreats, Pinotage grapes—unique to South Africa—are turned into oils and serums used in skin-brightening facials and tension-releasing massages. The treatments often include locally sourced essential oils and botanical infusions, giving them a distinctly regional identity.
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Tatler Asia
5 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Wine, wellness and travel: 7 destinations for a luxurious vinotherapy experience
2. La Rioja, Spain For those who wish to experience Caudalie's vinotherapy treatments in Spain, La Rioja is the place to visit. Known for its centuries-old wine estates, La Rioja has leaned into vinotherapy with notable style. At Hotel Marques de Riscal—a striking Frank Gehry-designed property—Caudalie's full treatment menu is offered alongside panoramic vineyard views. The ingredients are locally sourced, and the spa makes use of grape polyphenols known for boosting collagen and improving skin elasticity. It's one of the few places where architecture, wine and wellness intersect with equal intensity. 3. Tuscany, Italy Above Clusters of Sangiovese grapes ripen under the Tuscan sun—rich in antioxidants, they're the foundation of local vinotherapy rituals. (Photo: Kstudio / Freepik) Vinotherapy in Tuscany feels less clinical and more rustic, though no less effective. At Castello di Casole, a Belmond hotel set on a historic estate, treatments focus on Sangiovese grapes grown on-site. Grape pulp, grapeseed oil and even red wine itself are used in various facials and massages. The spa menu includes antioxidant-rich wraps and exfoliations, drawing from both wine and olive oil traditions. It's a slower, more sensorial take on the vinotherapy trend. 4. Napa Valley, USA California's wine country may be better known for tasting rooms than spa treatments, but Napa has carved out a niche in vinotherapy. Spa Terra at The Meritage Resort, located in an underground cave, offers Cabernet scrubs and grapeseed facials that highlight the region's signature varietals. The treatments are designed to counteract environmental stressors—particularly sun exposure—and offer a more grounded, no-fuss approach to wine-based skincare. 5. Mendoza, Argentina At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza brings a different altitude to vinotherapy. Cavas Wine Lodge offers spa services that use Malbec grapes, which are known for their high concentration of polyphenols. Treatments include warm compresses soaked in wine and detoxifying grapeseed oil massages. The approach is less about opulence and more about results, and the surrounding snow-capped peaks add a scenic layer to the experience. 6. Douro Valley, Portugal Six Senses Douro Valley takes vinotherapy seriously, integrating local grapes into its wellness philosophy. Treatments here focus on regional varietals, and the spa works with products that use crushed skins and seeds to exfoliate and repair. The Douro setting is as much a draw as the treatments, offering forest walks, river views and a quiet atmosphere that complements the restorative nature of vinotherapy. 7. Cape Winelands, South Africa Above Vineyards at Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo: Wirestock / Freepik) South Africa's wine regions are joining the vinotherapy conversation, with Stellenbosch leading the charge. At Lanzerac Spa and other nearby retreats, Pinotage grapes—unique to South Africa—are turned into oils and serums used in skin-brightening facials and tension-releasing massages. The treatments often include locally sourced essential oils and botanical infusions, giving them a distinctly regional identity.
Tatler Asia
20-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
Pioneering surgeon Dr Harjit Kaur says this is what prioritising women's breast health looks like
Today, she is a firm proponent of more women pursuing surgical specialties—'Women often bring a meticulous, methodical approach to their work, and in specialties like breast surgery, patients find female surgeons more relatable and often feel comfortable opening up to them,' Harjit says. But sometimes, even razor-sharp focus and experience as a surgeon cannot fully prepare you for the tougher moments, from having to break the bad news to patients' families or make those unpopular decisions in the face of tremendous pressure. 'One of the most pivotal lessons I've learned in my career is that we, as doctors, are not invincible,' she admits. 'In the beginning, you believe that if you just do everything right, you can save your patients. But with time and experience, you realise that even when everything seems to be going well, cancer can return. And when it does, you're the one who has to help the family navigate that pain. Over the years, I've also learned the emotional cost of becoming too attached. As doctors, we build relationships with our patients—we get to know them and, often, their families too.' She recalls a particularly difficult experience caring for longtime patient whose cancer returned aggressively, eventually having to explain to the woman's two teen children that they were going to lose their mother. 'That moment taught me the importance of maintaining just a bit of emotional distance. Trying not to cry while saying those words was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.' See more: Using bioacoustics in conservation: How Malaysian researcher Dr Aini Hasanah is protecting our endangered gibbon populations Above Harjit says going for breast screenings should be routine, as common as other aspects of our wellness (Photo: Freepik) Balancing that fine line of caring deeply and supporting patients while knowing when to maintain emotional distance is not an easy task. Yet Harjit's priority remains the same—ensuring that she is there to walk that journey with her patients and offer honesty, support and presence through those tough times. 'We also learn that medicine is not just about doing everything—it's about knowing when not to. Some patients come to us with advanced disease where further aggressive treatment would offer no real benefit and only cause more harm. In those moments, the most compassionate choice might be palliative care and focusing on comfort and dignity rather than cure. That shift in thinking only comes with experience and maturity, and it's something I had to grow into over time,' she adds. 'Of course, as the science evolves, so must we. Breast cancer treatment has become far more holistic and personalised. It's no longer just about surgery—it's about understanding tumour biology, using targeted therapies, and choosing less invasive approaches where possible. We now know that 'less is more' in many situations.' Above Many women don't realise breast cancer can happen to anyone, not just older women or women who have gone through menopause, says Harjit(Photo: Getty) Touching on the evolving face of women's health and the gaps still apparent in how we approach breast cancer, Harjit shares these insights: 'Many women don't realise breast cancer can happen to anyone,' she says. 'There's a kind of blasé attitude, especially among younger women—they think they're too young, or that it's something that only happens after menopause. That may have been the case in the past, but not anymore.' 'We're now seeing breast cancer in women in their twenties and thirties—my youngest patient was just 19. That's why we really need to change how people think about breast health. It's not something you deal with only when you're older or once you feel a lump. In fact, in its early stages, breast cancer is completely painless. That's what makes it so dangerous, it can grow quietly for years without you even knowing it's there. By the time a lump becomes obvious or painful, it could already be advanced.' Being proactive, not reactive Knowing what we know today, what kind of mindset should younger women have about their breast health, even those with no family history of cancer? How do we as women normalise going for breast check-ups and screenings as casually as visiting our family doctor or getting a facial? 'I always recommend that women begin basic breast surveillance—like an ultrasound—every year from the age of 25, especially if there are any risk factors. And we need to normalise regular breast self-checks, so women are familiar with their own bodies and can notice even subtle changes.' 'Waiting for external prompts—like awareness campaigns or once-a-year screening events—before taking action is another issue. Breast health should be a personal priority all year round. It's your body, your life—investing that little bit of time each year could save it.' In a field that once offered women a grim 'mastectomy or nothing' ultimatum, Harjit's approach brings both precision and compassion. 'We're helping more women actually accept their diagnosis and go through with the treatment,' she says. 'When you tell a woman she has to lose her breast, and that's the only option, it's incredibly difficult—emotionally and psychologically. But when we're able to offer immediate reconstruction as part of the surgical plan, it changes how women respond. With proper counselling and the ability to present real options, they feel they have a way forward.' Her work has helped patients cope with the most difficult times of their lives, bringing dignity, choice, and emotional healing to the operating table. Still, she doesn't pretend any of it has been easy. 'You do face resistance or red tape,' she admits. 'It's about educating others, showing them the value of what you're proposing, and making sure it's a rational, well-thought-out idea. If you can do that, you'll usually find a way forward and things generally fall into place.' Dr Harjit attributes much of her unshakeable resolve to her mentor, Dato' Dr P. Kandasami. 'He is the person who truly made me a surgeon,' she says. 'He taught me that being a surgeon isn't just about skill—it's about listening, understanding, and being present for your patients.' Interestingly, Harjit's first career choice was law, and she spent three months at law school before realising that it wasn't for her. 'When I first chose surgery, even my father—who was a doctor himself—tried to dissuade me,' she shares. 'He said, 'You'll want to have children one day, how will you manage a career in surgery?'. Thankfully, I had a mentor who encouraged me to pursue what I was passionate about, and that support made all the difference. Women can thrive as surgeons and also have fulfilling personal lives—it just takes support.' She's living proof of that. Whether guiding patients through a diagnosis or inspiring the next generation of women surgeons, Harjit's presence in Malaysia's healthcare landscape is bold, compassionate, and enduring. 'I'm someone who needs human connection in my work,' she says. 'That's why I chose medicine—and why I've never looked back.' Front & Female Changemakers celebrates the extraordinary journeys of inspiring women who have emerged as powerful changemakers in a range of fields, offering a glimpse into their lives and showcasing their courage, vision and relentless pursuit of change and progress. From social entrepreneurs and business leaders to educators, artists, activists and scientists, Front & Female changemakers exemplify the ability to challenge the status quo and demonstrate the power of women to effect change.
Tatler Asia
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3. Lymphatic drainage therapists Above Lymphatic drainage therapists are in high demand. (Photo: Freepik) Lymphatic drainage is hardly new, but its rebranding as a cornerstone of detox culture has elevated it to must-have status among the wellness elite. The technique—originally used for post-surgical care—is now marketed as a way to flush stagnation and reduce 'inflammatory burden'. Brazilian therapist Flavia Morellato, whose London sessions book out weeks in advance, blends lymphatic massage with sculpting techniques popularised by models and influencers. Infrared tools, pressotherapy suits and vibration devices are often part of the package, turning a medical adjunct into an aesthetic ritual. 4. Digital detox curators Going offline is no longer enough. Digital detox curators now design itineraries that remove all traces of algorithmic influence, replacing screen time with analogue journaling, silent hiking and EMF-shielded sleeping quarters. At California's Digital Detox retreats, participants surrender their devices and enter 48-hour immersion programmes free of tech, caffeine and small talk. Fivelements in Bali offers a more spiritual approach, encouraging guests to disconnect while undergoing cleansing rituals rooted in Balinese philosophy. For those who see Wi-Fi as the new pollutant, detoxing from data has become a luxury experience. 5. Emotional sobriety mentors Borrowing language from 12-step recovery, emotional sobriety reframes detox as a form of boundary-setting and behavioural restraint. Mentors in this space offer guidance on cutting ties with co-dependent dynamics, compulsive patterns and self-destructive thought loops—often using nervous system language and trauma discourse as scaffolding. Figures like India Oxenberg, who now positions herself as an emotional empowerment coach, deliver workshops centred on reclaiming agency. In Asia, some therapists market 'emotional resilience' packages to high-functioning clients as a lifestyle upgrade rather than a mental health necessity. It's therapy, but with better branding. 6. Sleep architects Above Sleep architects optimize their client's environment for superior sleep. (Photo: Freepik) In a culture that lionises productivity, sleep has become a frontier for elite intervention. Sleep architects audit every aspect of a client's rest environment, from mattress toxicity to electromagnetic exposure. Nick Littlehales, a former sports sleep coach to Cristiano Ronaldo, designs bespoke sleep protocols that consider everything from circadian rhythms to microclimate control. In Hong Kong, EMF-blocking furnishings and sound-engineered bedrooms are being marketed as investments in cellular repair. For those who can afford it, sleep is no longer passive—it's a performance optimised by consultants.
