January is the quiet inhale after the excess of the holiday season. Vineyards lie dormant [depending on the hemisphere] travel slows, and intention replaces indulgence. It’s the moment when wine travellers stop chasing novelty and start seeking meaning, and this is where wine spas come into their own.
Wine spas sit at the intersection of wellness and terroir. Drawing on vinotherapy, treatments that use grape skins, seeds, vine extracts, and mineral‑rich waters, they offer an experience that is restorative rather than performative. These destinations don’t simply pamper; they recalibrate.
Part One of this two‑part series explores five of the world’s most iconic wine spas, each offering a January escape that blends vineyard culture, spa science, and place‑driven calm.
- Les Sources de Caudalie – Bordeaux, France
Why Les Sources de Caudalie leads the category
Often cited as the birthplace of modern vinotherapy, Les Sources de Caudalie is woven into the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Treatments are grounded in rigorous research into grape polyphenols and antioxidants, delivering results without theatrics.
Why winter matters here
Winter in Bordeaux is reflective and restrained. With fewer visitors, tastings become conversations, and spa rituals feel deeply personal.
Recommended January–April
3‑night itinerary
A three‑day stay at Les Sources de Caudalie is designed around gentle immersion. Day one begins with arrival among the vines, followed by a vinotherapy bath and grape‑seed body wrap to unwind after travel. Day two balances wellness and wine culture: a morning facial using grape extracts, a private château tasting in the afternoon, and an elegant dinner paired with Bordeaux crus. Day three is deliberately unhurried, with a final spa ritual, a walk through the winter vineyards, and a relaxed lunch before departure – restored rather than rushed.
Website: https://www.sources-caudalie.com
- ADLER Thermae Spa & Relax Resort – Tuscany, Italy
Why it’s exceptional
Set in the Val d’Orcia, ADLER Thermae merges ancient thermal bathing traditions with vineyard‑inspired wellness. The landscape includes rolling hills, stone villages, and winter light – quite magical.
Why go early in the year
Steam rises from outdoor thermal pools as frost settles over the vineyards, creating one of Tuscany’s most cinematic winter moments.
Recommended February–April
3‑night itinerary
At ADLER Thermae, three days unfold at a Tuscan pace. Day one centres on the thermal pools and a grape‑infused massage, best enjoyed outdoors as steam rises against the Val d’Orcia hills. Day two ventures beyond the spa with a guided Brunello di Montalcino tasting, returning for vinotherapy facials and yoga. The final day is reserved for slow rituals – thermal soaking, countryside walks, and a long, unhurried Tuscan lunch that allows body and mind to recalibrate before departure.
Website: https://www.adler-thermae.com
- Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa – Champagne, France
Why it belongs on this list
Royal Champagne redefines Champagne tourism through wellness. The spa is contemporary and expansive, with vineyard panoramas that reframe the region beyond celebration.
Why visit early in the year
The region slows dramatically after the holidays, offering intimate cellar visits and uninterrupted spa time.
Recommended January–April
3‑night itinerary
A three‑day escape at Royal Champagne blends restraint with indulgence. Day one begins with the thermal spa circuit and a sunset aperitif, followed by dinner overlooking grand cru vineyards. Day two pairs a private Champagne house visit with a bespoke spa treatment, ending with an elegant dégustation dinner that reframes Champagne as contemplative rather than celebratory. Day three offers a final swim, a leisurely breakfast with vineyard views, and a late checkout—proof that winter in Champagne is as much about calm as sparkle.
Website: https://www.royal-champagne.com
- Entre Cielos Wine Hotel & Spa – Mendoza, Argentina
Why Entre Cielos Wine Hotel & Spa stands out
Entre Cielos blends modern design with traditional vinotherapy against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes. Treatments highlight Malbec grape extracts and regional ingredients.
Why this season is ideal
It’s midsummer in the Southern Hemisphere. Vineyards are vibrant, and wellness is paired with energy rather than hibernation.
Recommended January–April
3‑night itinerary
Three days at Entre Cielos capture Mendoza’s energy and elegance. Arrival day includes a grape‑seed scrub and a Malbec‑inspired wine bath to ease into the rhythm of the Andes. Day two explores high‑altitude wineries, followed by a traditional hammam ritual that blends heat, water, and aromatherapy. The final day slows the pace with a vineyard‑view breakfast, light spa treatments, and time to absorb the mountain landscape before departure.
Website: https://www.entrecielos.com
- Awasi Mendoza — Argentina
Why Awasi Mendoza is a classic
A Relais & Châteaux property where spa treatments are discreet, personalized, and inseparable from the surrounding vineyards.
Why the early‑year months shine
Warm evenings, private plunge pools, and alfresco dining elevate the sensory experience.
Recommended January–April
3‑night itinerary
A three‑day stay at Cavas Wine Lodge is intimate and deeply personal. Day one begins with an arrival massage and private wine tasting as the Andes glow at dusk. Day two is devoted to vineyard exploration and spa immersion, alternating between Malbec‑focused treatments and long, leisurely meals. The final morning is intentionally quiet – breakfast overlooking the vines, a final soak, and a departure that feels unhurried and complete.
Website: https://www.cavas-wine-lodge.com
These first five wine spas share a seductive commonality: they treat wine not as ornament, but as a tactile, transformative material. The winter months, with their instinct for pared‑back beauty, only heighten their allure. Each destination leans into a kind of quiet luxury – treatments infused with craft, spaces washed in intentional light, and an atmosphere where refinement feels less performed than lived‑in and luminous.
Part Two continues the journey, shifting to Portugal, Spain, Burgundy, and California, where wine spas offer a different expression of wellness shaped by history, architecture, and landscape. Stay tuned!