Winemaker Kia Millis will feature in her wife Nehma Vitols’ fashion show. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
In what may be a world first, a fashion show and exhibition dedicated to female winemakers will be held at Yenda’s Berton Vineyard next month.
The concept is the brainchild of Nehma Vitols, a 36-year-old marketing guru who moved to Griffith a year ago to be with her partner and now wife, Berton senior winemaker Kia Millis.
“I met Kia through an app, but it was wild. I had my radius set at 20 km and she had 200 km, but somehow we matched even though we were 480 km apart. I was in Melbourne and she was in Griffith,” she said.
As a woman of Moroccan heritage who had lived in big cities all over the world, Ms Vitols initially had reservations about moving to a small country town to start a same-sex relationship.
“I didn’t think I’d end up here but here I am. I’ve really settled here; everyone has been so welcoming. I feel ignorant for fearing the worst.”
During her first ever vintage in Griffith, she came up with an innovative idea.
“I became a vintage widow and didn’t know what I to do. I asked if I could come to the winery, take some photos and find out what everyone does.
“After a few conversations, I was inspired to do something artistic to celebrate the female winemakers.”
There are only seven fully fledged female winemakers in Griffith and Ms Vitols’ event will include them all – Emma Norbiato, Sally Carusi, Stephanie Sheather, Belinda Morandin, Danisa Calderon, Mel McWilliam and Ms Vitols’ wife Kia Millis.
“On the night, I’ll have an exhibition of the stories of the winemakers, including cuts of the interviews with the ladies and the photos I took during vintage. I also asked them about a connection they had with creativity and specific garments.
“There’ll be the stories of those garments and then everyone will be escorted to the export warehouse where there’ll be nine models and 10 looks.”
Kristy-Lee Agresta will provide the jewellery on display during the night. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
One of the models will be Morena Farina, the firecracker from TV show Married at First Sight (MAFS).
“I messaged her on Instagram; I didn’t think she would reply, but she was happy to be part of it,” Ms Vitols said.
Ms Millis, a senior white winemaker who has worked in the industry for two decades, provided an insight into her contribution to the fashion show.
“My inspiration comes from the industry. I haven’t had many tragic moments in my life but I’ve got a lot of special memories from winemaking, so my garment is something sentimental to me because of what we do,” she said.
The one-night-only event will also showcase the work of local women in other industries, including jewellery by Kristy-Lee Agresta, makeup by Lucinda Panarello and hair by Alison Matthews.
Footwear will be provided by Blundstone, canapes by Limone Dining and a soundtrack by Ben Ceccato.
Vintage 2025: A Celebration of the Women Winemakers of the Riverina will take place at 7 pm on Saturday 8 November at the Berton Vineyards, Yenda. Dresscode is cocktail, with closed-toe shoes recommended. Tickets are available through humantix
