They say a glass of red wine a day keeps the (heart) doctor away. No one could believe in that more than Carlo Mondavi, grandson of legendary winemaker Robert Mondavi of Napa Valley, California.
Having grown up and worked in his family’s vineyards, Mondavi has parlayed his knowledge of the benefits of the grape into a line of natural skincare that’s all about rejuvenation. Together with his creative and business partner, Josh LeVine, the professional snowboarder (as is LeVine) has introduced into The Peninsula hotel rooms a new collection of bath amenities under their Davi label.
Mondavi – whose appreciation of wine and good food came from many remarkable years of learning around his grandfather’s table – got the idea for using the byproducts of grapes as an ingredient for grooming when he recalls that “my skin became so smooth after handling the extracts”. Mondavi says: “We brought our plan to my grandfather, and he was blown away.”
A period of testing and development with a prominent laboratory in Lyon, France produced the proprietary Meritage complex, a combination of grapevine-based antioxidants, blended with green tea, soy and other powerful anti-aging agents, which Davi co-founders Mondavi and LeVine felt would be a unique best seller.
In fact, “meritage” – meaning to combine various varietals to create a great wine – is the basis of every Davi item.
As a seasoned business traveller, Mondavi knows how the stress of life on the road can wreak havoc on one’s skin. He is firmly convinced that nature is the best healer and is not shy about announcing that he uses his products all the time – his own ruddy, glowing skin is testimony to the benefits of regular Davi applications. The Peninsula’s new Davi in-room line was developed in collaboration with Gilchrist & Soames and includes shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel and body lotion. These are also available at all Peninsula Boutiques in the hotels.
Margie T Logarta
