Destination Spa in Columbia Valley Wine Country

Grapes Near Mattawa

Of course Washington's wine country is a great road trip destination, but Nouveau Spa in Kennewick is the perfect pairing for a tasting room trip. Kennewick means "Winter Haven", and Nouveau Spa is a haven in all seasons. Their soaring cathedral ceilings and warm golden yellow interiors remind me of a wonderful spa vacation near Menton, in the south of France. As with wine, a dear friend argues it is more like Paso Robles, California. So let your friends visit the tasting rooms - wine comes in handy bottles with corks so you can enjoy the fruits of their labor later. And just like all those varietals, there's something for everybody at Nouveau Spa.
Past the age of eighteen natural beauty requires a bit of investment, but you needn't break the bank. Spa Noveau has a generous array of high and low tech facials, my current favorite being the lactic peel. Grapes need to be peeled...yeah, you get it. My skin emerged even and smooth, like a good claret.
You have heard by now that good wines begin with good soils, so try the mud wrap and as you relax fill the space between thoughts with breath. You will emerge like a fresh bud. If you want to ooh and aah over labels and practice your French, may I suggest lingering over the L'Oreal hair products?
 Last week my hair was a bit too Riesling and Nouveau Spa's resident hair genius, Amanda, added a bit of golden Chardonnay warmth. Amanda is as pretty as she is talented and previously assisted the owner of one of Seattle's best hair salons.
If you want a bit of the bubbly, there's a jet tub that gently soothes your body with thousands of micro bubbles. As with champagne, the smaller the bubbles the better the quality. For massage, I won't tell you my favorite as she is always booked. Let's just say that when the priest splashed her at the baptismal font I am certain she splashed back, and the priest narrowed his gaze and declared "...this child shall be called The Hammer."

So what does this weekend hold? Well, since you asked, Oregon's timeless Timberline Lodge is hosting a Winemaker's Dinner. The rather hot looking Jessica -the word is her last name is Rabbit- is going to give me a Shellac manicure in a bright Merlot red  and we are glossing my hair so it gleams like freshly picked Viognier grapes. Of course I am too pretty for makeup, so a bit of St. Tropez bronzer mixed with moisturizer gives the face a nice finished look. St Trop' -as our French cousins call it- has olive undertones so it won't turn your skin orange, leaving only a smooth natural glow so you will be taken seriously later when discussing irrigation rights and the new biodynamic vineyards.
If you are driving from Seattle, the prices will be a treat. Nouveau Spa is a real value and the view alone is worth the trip. With so many effective services and talented practitioners you won't be disappointed.
Taking into consideration rainfall, soils, and seasonal factors clearly  2012 will be a great