Our story

It was in 1993.

During the grape harvest on the family estate, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, we met Doctor Vercauteren, a professor at the University of Pharmacy of Bordeaux, who upon seeing the grape-seeds, exclaimed: "Do you know you're throwing away treasures?".

He revealed to us the extraordinary anti-oxidant power of grape-seed polyphenols. They provide exceptional protection for the skin against free radicals, the main cause of skin ageing.

We registered a patent on the extraction and stabilization of grape-seed polyphenols in 1994. A new path in anti-ageing cosmetic treatments was opened. For the first time, grape-seed polyphenols were used.

The first 3 products in the Caudalie range were released in 1995 and we began to sell them in pharmacies in Bordeaux.

The following year, Caudalie signed a research agreement with the University of Pharmacy of Bordeaux, and installed its own team of researchers.

Soon after, the idea formed to offer a backdrop for our products. We dreamt of a location away from it all, with vineyards as far as the eye can see. Naturally, we envisioned it being near Bordeaux, on the grounds of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. It was there in 1999 that Caudalie created the 1st Vinothérapie^® Spa.

There, our Vinotherapists lavish unique treatments upon our clients that combine the virtues of water from a hot spring with grape extracts. This was the beginning of treatments using fresh ingredients.

The Crushed Cabernet Scrub, the Pulpe Friction sculpting massage with fresh grapes, the Barrel Bath... The success was so great that Caudalie began to open other Vinothérapie^® Spas around the world (New York, Etangs de Corot, Spain...)

In 1999, we registered our 2nd patent for Resveratrol. Resvératrol is the vine's own immune defense. Extracted from vine stalks, this active ingredient provides exceptional results in fighting wrinkles and loss of firmness. It was the starting point for a new range of effective and Natural anti-ageing products: Vinexpert.

A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School proves that Resveratrol prolongs the life span of a cell by stimulating the production of sirtuins (longevity proteins). This discovery opened a new door in the fight against skin ageing and for medicine in general...

Each spring, the vines reawaken. Sap flows from the vine stalks, and it is said that the vines are weeping. This sap that flows from the stalks was once used by young women to reduce spots and brighten the complexion.

After years of research, we were finally able to identify the molecule responsible for creating such radiance: Viniferine. This active ingredient gave life to a new range of radiance and anti-dark spot products: Vinoperfect, which would become a best-seller in pharmacies!

From the beginning, we formulated our products with a maximum of Natural ingredients in order to preserve the environment and the skin.

In 2006, Caudalie made an innovative move by removing parabens from all its products. From that point on, our formulas have contained preservatives used by organic brands.

Grape-seeds have made it all around the world! Now, our products are distributed in more than 25 countries.

We dream of a greener world. For us, "cosmetics" is synonymous with "ethics". We favor using biodegradable active ingredients. We are in the process of reducing all our paper usage. This year, we will have saved 75 tons* ... it's a start!

* more than 1,200 trees!