The first thing that calmed me was the peaceful atmosphere. Then Audra’s steady, confident hands began The Allison’s signature Grape Seed Body Wrap. She started with dry brushing, followed by a scrub of grape seed, grape seed oil, lavender and sugar. She blended in organic milk powder, lavender buds, essential oil, honey and wine, painted the mixture onto my skin, and wrapped me in seven layers of hot towels, a thermal blanket and a top layer of plastic. The heated treatment table, low lighting and cool stones on my face completed the setting. For 20 minutes I drifted into a relaxed, dreamy state while Audra massaged my neck and feet.
I was deep in Oregon wine country, in one of The Allison Inn & Spa’s 12 treatment rooms. Each time I surfaced from that near-trance, I thought about how different this visit was from my first trip to Oregon wine country.
Back in the early 1990s, Oregon wine was still in its pioneering era. The region was beautiful and rugged, populated by small, adventurous wineries and vineyards — but offering few amenities: no luxury lodging, little fine dining, and certainly no destination spas. I stayed in a modest motel and ate modest meals because that was all there was. Today, roughly 40 years after David Lett planted the state’s first Pinot Noir, Oregon wine country remains scenic and largely unspoiled. The area’s best wineries are established and Oregon has earned a reputation for producing some of the country’s finest Pinot Noir. Alongside the wine culture, luxury lodging, elevated dining and spas that honor the landscape and the local grape have emerged — notably at The Allison.
Wine country spas often incorporate local grapes into their treatments, a practice known as vinotherapy. The Allison takes this further with “Pinotherapy,” a program centered on Pinot Noir. This isn’t mere pride in a local grape: studies show Pinot Noir is particularly rich in the antioxidant resveratrol, with its seeds, stems and skins containing significantly higher levels than many other grapes.
Extracts from Pinot Noir seeds help maintain and stimulate collagen production, form a moisture-retaining barrier, protect skin elasticity and collagen fibers, and fight free radicals. In short, Pinot Noir can be both a delightful tasting experience and a beneficial topical treatment.
Spa co-ed lounge © The Allison Inn & Spa
After my body wrap, a warm shower and a shea butter moisturizing rub, I settled into a comfortable lounge in soft greens, yellows, earth tones and ivory. My chicken salad was generous and flavorful, though too large to finish; I did finish a refreshing beverage of berries, banana, pomegranate, yogurt and flax.
Next came a facial with Nika. She cleansed my skin with a lemon-based cleanser, followed by a scented spray. An exfoliating masque of rosehip and maize, softened with herbal tea, prepared my skin for a hydrating masque made with Tokay ice wine and fresh grape and apple pulp. Nika massaged a concentrated grape antioxidant serum and Vitamin P into my skin, calling it the most potent of their treatments, and finished with Rich Black Perlette, a deeply hydrating grape-extract moisturizer.
In addition to Pinot Noir seed, pulp and skin, The Allison’s treatments feature Oregon-grown fruits, flowers, herbs and nuts — chamomile, hazelnuts, lavender, berries and roses among them — all organic and selected for their skin-nourishing properties.
The Allison opened in 2009 as the first luxury resort in Oregon wine country, its stone-and-wood design blending naturally with the landscape. I arrived at the lodge and entered a spacious reception area with a large glass wall. The main floor embraces open-concept living, with the reception flowing into a welcoming living room centered around a fireplace — the perfect place to read and enjoy a glass of wine before dinner. The living room leads to the Jory Restaurant and its long bar. The Allison’s 85 guestrooms are plush and inviting; their earth-toned décor and soft gold accents echo the surrounding countryside. Throughout the resort, works by Oregon artists reinforce the local connection.
After my treatments, feeling smooth and relaxed, I considered what I’d try next time: a soy paraffin treatment for hands and feet, a Pinot pedicure and a mimosa manicure, and another Grape Seed Body Wrap followed by a facial. I left the spa saturated with a gentle serenity. Passing the indoor pool, I felt tempted to swim, but decided not to — I couldn’t bring myself to dive back into reality while still walking on air.
The Allison Inn & Spa
2525 Allison Lane
Newberg, OR 97132
tel 503 554 2525
theallison.com