Vintner’s Daughter launches today at Integrity Botanicals. To celebrate this beautiful line, we’re chatting with the woman behind it all—April Gargiulo—to learn more about the Active Botanical Serum and the vision behind the brand. If you’re excited to try Vintner’s Daughter (see my review to find out why you should be!) then be sure to enter the Vintner’s Daughter giveaway at the end of the interview.
Susannah: I first became aware of Vintner’s Daughter when Into the Gloss ran a review about the Active Botanical Serum titled “The Face Oil To End All Face Oils”. Why do you think ITG fell so hard for your serum, and how did that early attention impact your business?
April: I think ITG fell hard for our Active Botanical Serum for a couple of reasons. First because it is a very finely crafted product which one understands immediately upon opening and second because it is a face oil that performs more like a multi-correctional serum. We don’t have a publicist, so it was a big surprise and had an immediate impact on sales and visibility. I am very grateful to those amazing ladies.
You grew up in and around Napa Valley and actually ran your family’s winery for about 10 years, right? How has that experience influenced the direction you’ve taken with Vintner’s Daughter? What edge did your winery experience give you that other new lines might not have?
Yes, Gargiulo Vineyards was my first start-up and taught me so much about how to maintain the highest commitment to quality and expression. At Vintner’s Daughter, not only is our philosophy deeply routed in fine winemaking, but our formulation process actually borrows from it.
Can you tell us about the process of formulating the Active Botanical Serum? What were your goals? How did you select ingredients?
Our goal was to make the most active, multi-correctional, toxin-free serum on the market. We believe that in order to do this, you must start with the very finest ingredients and honor these ingredients through an uncompromising formulation process. Borrowed from fine winemaking, our formulation process begins with a temperature-controlled enfleurage that infuses every drop of our targeted foundation oils with skin healing phytonutrients and skin firming phytoceramides. Many products use heat processed extracts because they are less expensive and time intensive. We believe that these off the shelf extracts can’t offer the same level of skin nutrition as our gentle, temperature-controlled infusion process does. Skin is able to fully recognize our plant actives as the nutritive building blocks of its own structure, thus becoming more resilient and youthful.
The Active Botanical Serum includes some ingredients that can be photosensitizing like lemon and bergamot. Is the serum appropriate for daytime use or should it be reserved for nighttime use?
I suggest starting with Active Botanical Serum at night using Push /Press and then using during the day as well with proper sun protection (hat and/or sunblock.)
What kind of results can people who use the Active Botanical Serum expect to see?
Brightening, elasticity and clarity are among the most common results. Hormonal, acne-prone and aging skin especially love Vintner’s Daughter. I receive emails all the time from woman of all ages who are amazed by the results. I know it sounds too good to be true, but it really is a game changer.
Have you always been into natural skincare? Can you give us a quick snapshot of how you’re caring for your skin?
I wasn’t born with perfect skin, so yes I have always been into skincare, but not always natural skincare. I’ve tried everything. It wasn’t until I became pregnant that I opened my eyes to the chemicals in my skincare. Today I am very simple. I cleanse, tone and apply Vintner’s Daughter using Push / Press Technique. I am a recreational mask user.
Do you expect to grow your line with additional products or are you happy doing one thing really well?
For now I am very happy with one game changing product.
Integrity Botanicals is giving away one full-size Active Botanical Serum! Enter the giveaway to win!
I have been wanting to try this serum ever since i started hearing about it months ago! For someone with problem skin their whole life (i’m now in my later 30’s) trying this could be a game changer for me. I would love to win this serum!
Being a estheticain, I’m all about more active ingredients… Not just more natural ones!! This is the best of both worlds!!
I have heard so many wonderful things about this serum. I hope I get a chance to try it. Thanks for such a lovely giveaway.
I’ve heard so many good things about this brand and their product. VD’s process of producing the serum is intriguing and makes me super excited to try the serum.
Have read some very positive reviews about this serum.
The question is how could I not be excited about this chance to win a much buzzed-about product! It didn’t say if the giveaway is open internationally or not so I’m crossing my fingers that it is. The way the serum is formulated to the choice of ingredients captivates me so it would be quite a treat to try this. I also love that the brand only has this one product still.
Thanks for such an amazing giveaway !! I wanted to try this oil for so so long for its lovely ingredients. I hope to get a chance to try this and add it to my skin care routine !
I received a small sample at A Night For Green Beauty and it was such a tease! This serum not only smelled amazing, it made my skin glow and feel fantastic-I need to add this magic potion to my daily skin care routine!
I have heard so many rave reviews of the serum and would love to try this! I especially love that this is the only product in their line, which to me speaks volume about how much love and hard work has gone into it! 🙂
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this serum and hope to get a chance to try it because it’s really quite pricey!
I’m excited because I have found face oils to be so beneficial for my 44 year old skin. And this one sounds like it could really be the best thing out there. Would love to give it a try.
I would just like to try natural skincare and this one seems awesome
I’m so excited to try this serum! My face is a little picky so I like to keep it simple – cleanse, tone, oil – and the ingredient list doesn’t contain any of my suspected problem ingredients. I’m in deep with non-stop teething/night waking with baby #2 and am seeing my face age quickly; they say kids keep you young but dang, if mine haven’t made me look old! Of course I still get congestion and dry patches with my combination skin, so being able to address all my skin challenges with one serum would be lovely. If I don’t win the giveaway (a girl can hope!) then I hope you’ll be offering a trial size for purchase, so I can test it out 🙂
Excited for this, have heard but great comments about this brand and product 🙂
Oh dear, I entered the giveaway on Instagram and Facebook (I don’t Twitter, thank you for using Instagram!) but am having trouble with the share with friends application. I shared on Facebook and email but don’t see a way to check it off?
This product really does sound amazing!
I surely need to understand why ITG is so much into this product 🙂
I’ve heard such amazing things about this serum, thanks for the opportunity with the giveaway !! 🙂
Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Whenever a product comes along that offers hope for people with acne-prone skin like myself I have to try it! Unfortunately the vast majority of products that make these claims aren’t credible and I end up spending what seems like millions of dollars only to be disappointed. Hearing from a respected and trustworthy source that this serum is the REAL thing…well I just can’t wait to get my hands on some. One question though, what is push/press? Seems like a method of application that I’m not familiar with.
I have been dying to try this product. It sounds amazing based on all the reviews that I have read. So excited about this giveaway.
First a sample in my #anfgb swag bag and now a giveaway?! You guys are generous! I’m ready to find out why this is the end all, be all of face oils!!
This serum is seriously incredible! It cleared up my irritated skin within a few days of use and the results have only gotten better since.
I’m almost out of what I would call my holy grail product. It has been reformulated, and I’m not crazy about the new formula. I’m thinking Vintner’s a Daughter may be the replacement!
This sounds like an awesome serum. I would love to be able to try it. I am always looking for a better facial serum.
I love the time and care that is put into making a safe and from what I’ve read an effective skincare line. I’m getting a little older now and I want to continue taking care of my skin the healthy way!!!
I’ve been looking for a new face serum and this one sounds beyond amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try.
I love face oils! I’ve wanted to try this one since I’ve heard amazing things about Vintner’s Daughter but I’m a poor graduate student and don’t have the funds to splurge on such a luxurious product.
Cool! love trying serums and putting them on between toner and moisturizer
I’m so excited about this. This seems like a very potent oil! Sounds like it will be great for all types of skin too.
I’ve read so many great things about this! Without trying firsthand, it might be too much of a leap for me financially. But I’d be happy to pare down my products to purchase this if it works for my skin! From the review Susannah gave, the scent would be perfect for me, and it’s great to hear April say it’s good for hormonal and acne-prone skin. Thanks for hosting great giveaways!
This product sounds nothing short of amazing. I cannot wait to try it!
I have been hearing about how amazing this is, and I would love to try this! The serum sounds amazing and full of gorgeous ingredients!
this products sounds wonderful! would love to try it!
Oh ! How much I’d love to try this ! After reading about it on ITG and it’s glowing review I was very interested… Now, after reading your test review I’m even more so. My mature skin would greatly benefit from it!
Thank you for this awesome giveaway!
Am I excited?! AM I EXCITED?! um yes?!
Sounds amazing!
Serums are where it’s at in skincare! The best and most effective ingredients, delivered straight to my skin. What’s not to love?
I’ve heard only outstanding things about this serum!
The concept of this serum being crafted and aged like a fine wine sounds ridiculously indulgent and amazing. The color is also rich and gorgeous. I can only imagine how heavenly the bouquet of this serum would be based on the list of the essential oils that are used to enhance it. This would truly be an extravagant purchase for pampering oneself. Yes please!!!
I love face oils and this one sounds so fantastic!
I consider myself face oil crazy and this is the Queen of all face oils ! So I can’t wait give it a try and hopefully become a staple ! Thank you for hosting a giveaway !
I have never heard of this face oil before. I’m intrigued…I would love to try it. I have seborrheic dermatitis so I have to be careful with the products I use on my sensitive skin. Fingers crossed! 🙂
I’m not on social media (I’m 68 and just joined email) so I can only enter the giveaway by posting a comment. I’m going to be a grandma!!! and I would love to surprise my daughter with this oil. Would this oil be safe for pregnant women to use?
Thank you for the opportunity to win. My wife would love this.
I would LOVE to win this. This serum sounds like a dream!
I got a tiny sample from the ANFGB swag bags and I just love this product! I would be so very excited to get a full size bottle!
would love to try it after the amazing reviews!
I love the commitment to excellence and they highest quality craftmanship you have! I look forward to trying this amazing serum!!! Especially since I have sensitve, rosacea, dry skin, this sounds A Mazing to correct and heal my facial skin!!! Aloha! 🙂
Hi, I’d love to win Vintner’s daughter because I’ve been reading reviews and seeing it in the online world. Everyone just raves about it. I’d love to see how it works for me.
There are so many effective products out there. And now, one more to try! I would love to see how Vintner’s Daughter is different from other serums/oils I have used. Thanks for the opportunity.
I NEED this!!! This is the game changer I need in my life! Aging, hormonal, and acne prone OH MY!
Trying to win this for my wife, thanks for the chance!
I love face oils and this one seems like a winner! I can’t wait to try!
Serums are my biggest splurge on skincare items because I’ve found that they truly have the power to totally transform my skin. Vintner’s Daughter is next on my list of must-try serums after hearing about the infusing process and rave reviews!
I’m so thrilled for a chance to win Vintner’s Daughter’s Active Botanical Face Serum because it’s sounds amazing! I’m looking for a truly natural serum that’s healing and anti-aging to help my skin glow and looks its best! This serum sounds like the perfect fit and I love that the ingredients are manufactured using temperature controls as to not kill the benefits of the plant oils with unnecessary heat. Thanks for offering this giveaway! 🙂
I would love to try this serum…the many amazing reviews really makes me think this product actually must be as good as it sounds!
Because it seems like a great serum.
Wow! This serum sounds amazing! I would love to try it as my skin is so acne proned from stress and hormones that I don’t know what to do with it anymore. I have tried many products but nothing seems to work long term. I love that such great care and thoughtfulness went into making it. Thank you for doing this giveaway!
I’ve been eyeing this aim for quite a while. Love the INCIs and the philosophy behind the brand.
I want to win because it has anti-inflammatory phytonutrients which would help my skin.
Amazing results after one Sample! Am slowly saving for a bottle-would be lovely to win 🙂
Really is the serum miracle? I would so try this! I love natural product but i did not find the serum what has me help with red spots 🙁 amazing giveaway!!!
Have heard so many great things!
Natural is the key why I want to try the serum. I’ve tried products that weren’t natural that seemed to work but finding one that is natural and works is difficult. I want something good for my skin. This must be it.
I love muti-purpose serums like this! This is the first time I am hearing about it and it sounds divine!!
So excited for a chance to win because Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum is touted as “The Face Oil to End All Face Oils” and who wouldn’t covet a serum that’s crafted like a fine wine?
I would love the chance to try a new product!
I have heard great reviews about this serum. I have used several face oils before. My quest for the best face serum is still on. Really want to see how special Vintner daughter’s face serum is. I hope I win this. Thank you Integrity Botanicals for organizing this giveaway!
I would love to sample this product to see if it lives up to the $185 price tag. Integrity Botanicals, do you plan on releasing a sample size of this product in the future? Thank you! Lauren S.
Hi Lauren! We don’t currently have samples or trial sizes available on our site but if you mention it the comments section at checkout with your next order, I’d be happy to include a nice size sample for you to try.
Thank you, Terri! I will do that now. 🙂 I love Integrity Botanicals!!
So terribly excited to try this!
because so many rave reviews by all the wonderful green beauty bloggers have have piqued my interest in this brand .It would be such an awesome pleasure winning this, it looks absolutely stunning and the ingredients are wonderful.
Thank you so much Terri and Vintners Daughter for this awesome giveaway opportunity! With Terri’s help I have made the leap into green beauty & am not looking back! My skincare regimen is coming along, but I am in serious need of an oil that will not weigh my skin down as since switching over to the green world I have found that most I have sampled have made my skin react and breakout more than usual..This serum/oil sounds lovely and am hoping might be the one to help calm things down. I’m crossing my fingers big time! Xoxox
I’ve read such wonderful reviews…would appreciate the opportunity to try it!
Being able to use just one product which would target all my skin concerns would be amazing!
As someone with sensitive skin, I’m super excited about an active product that I can actually use! Now that I’m in my late 30’s, anti-aging is becoming a focus, but I feel like most of the products on the market are either too active or only address one concern when I have a few (clarity, elasticity, hydration…). This product sounds BOSS!
As a lover of facial oils (only thing that helps my acne prone skin), I am always on the look out for a great facial oil. Rosehip oil is still my favorite but I am intrigued by this oil blend. Would love to try it. Thanks everyone for the giveaway!
I have how amazing and wonderful it is for your skin, I absolutely love that it is “nasty” free! I am 51 and on the lookout for something that “blows my socks off” facial serum and hopefully I will win and get have that aha moment!
Loved learning about this product at this year’s A Night for Green Beauty in Chicago. When my friend saw her sample she immediately started screaming. No joke. Can’t think of a better endorsement than that! As I get older I’m realizing serums are where it’s at, especially for my sensitive/combo skin.
What is the Push / Press Technique?