‘Feria Linda’ helps vineyard workers shine

The Milton-Freewater Community Building looked like the backstage of a beauty pageant: Clusters of vineyard workers sat at long pink tables, getting their hair, makeup and nails done.  

But there weren’t any speeches about world peace at this “Feria Linda,” or beauty fair. 

It was simply an occasion for local stylists to volunteer their services to make vineyard workers feel good. In an area that’s famous for its wine, the people who plant and pick the grapes rarely get the spotlight. 

Rosalba Castillo Díaz got her hair, nails and makeup done at the event. She’s worked in the industry for over a decade. Normally, she said, manicures and vineyard work don’t mix. 

But now that the grape harvest is over, crews have a few months off. The season won’t start again until January or February. 

A volunteer stylist cuts and styles the hair of Rosalba Castillo Díaz, a vineyard worker. (Credit: Susan Shain / NWPB)

Castillo Díaz said that she and her coworkers don’t usually look like this. Most of them are parents who don’t have time to pamper themselves, especially considering their days can start at 4 a.m., six days a week. 

Castillo Díaz, for example, has four children, which means she has a full slate of cleaning, laundry and cooking on top of her vineyard job. 

Rosanna Lugo works in human resources for Seven Hills Vineyard. She encouraged her crew to attend the Feria Linda, including two men who received their first-ever manicures. 

Lugo said that vineyard work is not only time-consuming, but also physically demanding. To protect their bodies, workers normally cover themselves from head to toe, with gloves, bandanas, hats and sunglasses.  

Two stylists straighten the hair of vineyard workers. (Credit: Susan Shain / NWPB)

“It’s hard on the body,” Lugo said. “When I finally get to see them without everything covered, I look at them and it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s you — you look different!’” 

Lugo thinks this event is important, because it gave her crew the “opportunity to come in and say, ‘You know what? I can take everything off. I can look beautiful.’”  

Feria Linda was organized by the nonprofit winery Vital Wines. It’s based in the Walla Walla Valley, which has the largest concentration of wineries in Washington. 

Ruthell Martinez, a member of Vital’s board, got the idea for Feria Linda after meeting some vineyard workers. 

Ruthell Martinez, who works for Catholic Charities Walla Walla, walks through the Milton-Freewater Community Building, where Feria Linda was held. (Credit: Susan Shain / NWPB)

“The women were sharing how they never get ready,” she said. “They never treat themselves. They never do anything for themselves.” 

The workers showed Martinez their hands, which were rough and scratched. It made her think. 

“We’re enjoying the wine all the time, but we don’t think about who’s actually out there grabbing the grapes and making the wine for us,” Martinez said. “So it’s awesome to see that we’re taking care of all the women that are actually in the vineyards.”

Though this was Feria Linda’s first year, the workers said they hope it continues. They enjoyed their new looks and their new experiences — one woman even got her very first haircut.

CORRECTION: This article originally stated that Feria Linda was organized by Vital Wines and Catholic Charities Walla Walla. Though Ruthell Martinez works at Catholic Charities, that organization was not involved in this event.