Get wrapped up in the healing power of grapes

Visitors to Peppers Guest House in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country can now get wrapped up in the healing power of grapes through a series of innovative new spa treatments.

Coinciding with the launch of the Hunter’s annual grape harvest, the retreat’s endota spa has introduced a range of indulgent Vinotherapie treatments which enlist the region’s famous fruit to fight the effects of ageing.

Vinotherapie treatments, which originated in France, use the stems, oils, seeds and flesh of wine grapes to create anti-ageing skin and body treatments – giving new meaning to the idea of soaking up a good drop.

Spa owner Julie Molenaar has teamed up with natural Australian skincare company Victoria’s Essentials to create Hunter Valley varieties of the famous French Vinotherapie treatments.

“The pips, stems and skins of the grapes contain the antioxidant Resveratol and Phtophenols,” Julie said “In layman’s terms, what these antioxidants do is help protect skin from the free radicals which cause skin to age.

“We use freshly crushed grapes from nearby vineyards and,vine leaves to wrap the body. The grape seed oil, grape seed and red wine extracts have a detoxifying effect. People step out of the treatments with skin that is energised and firmed,’’ she said.

Providing both a fun and therapeutic way of embracing the Hunter’s most luxurious product, guests can choose from a range of decadent treatments includinga ‘chardonnay massage’ which wraps up with warmed vine leaves being laid all over the body; a ‘pinot noir wrap’ which includes a detoxifying, skin polishing scrub; the ‘vinotherapie facial’ which uses all of the grape elements to cleanse, exfoliate, detoxify and moisturise; and a shiraz bath soak which brings new meaning to the phrase ‘soaking up a good drop of red’.

With naturally elegant gardens and over 18 hectares of manicured grounds, Peppers Guest House is an iconic retreat capturing the spirit and essence of the Hunter wine region. Comprising 48 elegantly furnished guest rooms in a contemporary classic style, the retreat exudes an intimate and relaxed atmosphere offering warmth, interesting curios and a friendly unobtrusive service.

Within the gardens of Peppers Guest House is a lavish four-bedroom homestead. With four double rooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining and living room, the country house provides the luxury of intimate seclusion where couples can enjoy the attentions of their own private butler or chef.

On an idyllic escape from the pressures of everyday life at Peppers Guest House, guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace, pamper themselves at endota spa, spend a lazy day by the pool, play tennis or relax with a good book.
T
he many delights of the Hunter Valley are also close at hand including winery tours, hot air ballooning, cheese tasting, golf, carriage rides, sky diving and 4WD tours to name a few.

For bookings or further information contact Peppers Guest House on 4993 8999 or by emailing guesthouse@peppers.com.au. Additional information on Peppers properties can also be found by visiting www.peppers.com.au.

Peppers Guest House celebrates the arrival of the Vinotherapie treatments with a special package offer representing up to $230 of extra value.

Guests staying two nights from just $275* per room per night midweek or $380* per room per night on weekends will receive a full buffet breakfast each morning and two 60 minute “Chardonnay Massages”

Plus the first 20 bookings will also receive a free Dermalogica travel pack valued at $65 on this launch offer valid for sale and travel until 30 April 2009.