Grapeseed Co.

The Greek god Dionysus was ahead of his time, spotting wine as a good long-term investment. Thousands of years later, the grape is still worshiped — and not only in its liquid form. Grape seeds, it turns out, have their own magic. Ground up, they are an excellent source of antioxidants, which translate into wonderful natural skin-care products. Just ask Kristin Fraser Cotte, owner of The Grapeseed Company, a Santa Barbara-based business that creates “eco-friendly vinotherapy spa and skin-care products,” explained Cotte. For years, Grapeseed was an online-only venture; in early 2011, however, Cotte opened her first brick-and-mortar space at De la Vina and Carrillo streets. The shop has been such a success that on June 16 Cotte opened a second store at 4193 Carpinteria Avenue, #9, in Carpinteria. For more info, call (805) 456-3655 or visit thegrapeseedcompany.com. For a longer story about Grapeseed, visit independent.com/grapeseed.