When the doors officially open to
guests on April 15th, Spa Terra in California, the world’s first spa to be developed in
an estate wine cave, will offer an opportunity to completely escape, and
indulge in a world of sensory pleasures.
  Nestled nel cuore della terra, literally, “in the heart of the earth,”
Spa Terra at The Meritage Resort at Napa is located entirely underground in
the eastern wing of the resort’s Estate Cave. Featuring steam grottos,
soaking pools, waterfalls, and lavishly appointed private treatment rooms
for individuals and couples, the spa will offer a variety of relaxation
rituals and personal pampering in a completely controlled environment.
  “We were originally skeptical of the idea of a spa in a cave,” says Dan
Fitzgerald, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Pacific Hospitality
Group, the parent company of The Meritage Resort. “After all, wine country
visitors are well aware that caves are generally cool and often damp—
great for aging wine, but not an obvious choice for a massage.”
  Undaunted, Meritage developers forged ahead with their underground spa
concept, assembling an outstanding team of noted professionals, including
Bacchus Cave Construction, Natural Resources Spa Consulting, and
architectural firm David Bury & Co.—a firm known for their ability to
design unique spa facilities that draw inspiration from physical location.
  “I never thought about it until this project came to our attention, but
the cave environment is actually incredibly well-suited to spa design and
construction for a number of reasons,” says David Bury, whose award-winning
projects include Aji, The Oaks, and Spa Ojai. “It maintains a constant
temperature, which makes it very energy efficient in terms of heating and
cooling, it’s quiet, and structurally it’s incredibly stable. And, perhaps
most exciting for us as architects, the client needed us to focus all of
our energy on interior design elements—since the exterior of this
project was handled by Mother Nature.”
  Working closely with local stone masons, muralists, metallurgists and
other skilled craftspeople, the 9,000 square foot, $7.5 million project is
an underground oasis, featuring elements such as hand-forged wrought-iron
fixtures, water features and extensive custom tile work, including
Mediterranean-inspired mosaics. Thoughtfully selected materials and an
earthy palate provide a subtle reminder of the unique location throughout.
  The Treatment Experience

  The Napa Valley is perhaps the most famous agricultural region in North
America, thanks to its primary export—wine. But amongst the vines in
this farming community, bountiful harvests of olives, citrus, herbs, honey
and other crops are cultivated and gathered for use in winery kitchens and
sold at farmers markets. Lynn Curry of Natural Resources Spa Consulting has
worked closely with Spa Terra Director Victoria Boscarino to develop a menu
of services and treatments for face and body that incorporate many of these
local products and draw on the bounty of the region.
  The spa’s signature treatment, Solo Vino is a wine experience like no
other. This unique body libation begins with an exfoliating grape seed
scrub, followed by an invigorating jet shower rinse and a decadent body
wrap with a wine cave mud mask. A Terra massage and a glass of wine paired
with a cheese selection complete the two-hour experience. A complete spa
menu, including current pricing is available online at http://www.spaterra.com.
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