Iris Duplantier Rideau - From WHITE to BLACK: One Life Between Two Worlds

PRAISE FOR

From White to Black

Iris Duplantier Rideau is not only a modern-day pioneer, groundbreaking businesswoman, and award-winning winery owner, shes also a brilliant writer to boot. From White to Black is a beautifully told true story of extraordinary perseverance, limitless vision, and the power of faith in ones self. Ms. Rideaus illuminating ride through a long-ignored aspect of American history is endlessly fascinating and will leave you deeply inspired.

SCOTT WILLIAMS

Writer/Executive Producer, NCIS

Iris Rideau is a true inspiration for all Black women. She had a vision, followed her dreams and, created a plan and for her life that broke barriers for Black people to follow. From her early roots in Louisiana, Iris plowed through many trials and tribulations of racism in business and in her personal life and rose to the pinnacle of success to be the First Black Woman to own and operate her own winery in California. Iris is a trailblazer.

DANNY J. BAKEWELL, SR.

Executive Publisher of the LA Sentinel and LA Watts Times Newspapers, CEO of the Bakewell Company and Founder/Creator of Taste of Soul Family Festival

An inspiring and oftentimes defiant read, From White to Black is a wonderful and poignant story of triumph and transcendence. Iris Duplantier Rideau chronicles her amazing life journey with such beauty, flair, and insight, it satisfies the mind, opens the heart, and feeds the soul. In-joy.

MICHAEL BERNARD BECKWITH

Founder and CEO, Agape International Spiritual Center; Author, Life Visioning and Spiritual Liberation

Like the tenacious roots of a vine encountering rocks, when Iris Duplantier Rideau faced obstacles, she either went through them or found ways around them. Establishing her history-making eponymous winery was no different. Her memoir, From White to Black: One Life Between Two Worlds, is fascinating, inspiring and delicious.

DOROTHY J. GAITER

Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist, author, and wine columnist, GrapeCollective.com

Iris Rideaus breathtakingly moving journey will encourage you to never give up, always push boundaries, and never let someones opinions hold you back from your own greatness. As an African American woman, Iris has helped pave the way for gender equality in every field shes ever touched. From White to Black will show anyone who picks it up that anything is possible no matter your beginnings, and that embracing your identity is the key to success. Iris is not only one of the first self-made, multi-faceted businesswomen of our time, but she refuses to keep her success to herself and continues to turn back with helping hands to make sure she is not the last.

JANINE SHERMAN BARROIS

Creator/Executive Producer, The Kings of Napa

[Iris] is exceptional, not just in the wine community but the business world at large. [W]e have a lot to learn from her.

THE VINTNER PROJECT

Iris Rideau is a pioneer with a journey that transcends decades of history. She is the epitome of strength, grace, and humility. It is an honor to share her legacy as a trailblazer in Season One of Fresh Glass. We are privileged to share her wisdom with the next generation of winemakers and celebrate her remarkable contributions to society.

CASSANDRA SCHAEG

Co-Creator, Producer, and Host of Fresh Glass on KPBS

Iris Duplantier-Rideaus memoir From White to Black is a deeply moving, brutally honest account of her trials and triumphs while living in two worlds. [Iris was] the first African American woman to own her own vineyard in a time and place when it was deemed unacceptable. From White to Black dives deeply into the world of being of mixed race and the complex realities of growing up in the Jim Crow era in America. A truly heartbreaking yet triumphant book, From White to Black shares Iris deep wisdom and truth about her life. I simply could not put it down.

KAREN LEBLANC

Actor/Singer, star of The Kings of Napa (OWN)

She blazed trails. Her presence was instrumental in a lot of [Black] women getting into the wine industry.

THE HUE SOCIETY

The wine industry has traditionally been white men, but thanks to Ms. Rideau, more women and people of color are now in the industry.

THEOPATRA LEE

Founder of Theopolis Vineyards

Copyright 2022 Iris Duplantier Rideau
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, please contact the publisher.

Photos courtesy of the author, except as noted.
Recipes used with permission.

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Hardcover edition June 2022

Book and cover design by Clarity Designworks
Cover photo by Joe Schmelzer

ISBN 978-1-7349902-0-1 Hardbound
ISBN 978-1-7349902-2-5 Softbound
ISBN 978-1-7349902-3-2 E-book

Author Contact
www.irisrideau.com

Editor/Publisher: Joan Singleton
www.8790publishingcompany.com

8790 Publishing Company is an imprint of 8790 Pictures, Inc.

F irst, I want to acknowledge my godchild and niece, Caren Rideau, who was at my side from the first day I decided to move to the Santa Ynez Valley. She helped me build my home and was there for me when I built my winery. We had wonderful years together discovering the Valley and wine country. She now is the owner/designer of a renowned Kitchen and Bath Studio in Pacific Palisades and owns a successful winery in the Valley with her partner, Andres Ibarra. Thank you, darling, Caren. I could not have made it without you.

This book would not have happened had it not been for my editor, Joan Singleton, who stuck with me through thick and thin, editing and reediting my every word and holding my hand when my knees began to knock. Thank you, Joan, for your dedication.

A big thank you to one of my best friends and social media guru, Sheila Griffie, who never said No, to some of my most ridiculous ideas. Sheila also contributed many of her beautiful photographs to the book.

A special thank you to Sao Anash, who has been at my side since I started the winery, working as my public relations agent. She has been with me throughout my winery life as a friend and confidante and made major contributions to this book. Again, thank you, Sao, for all you have done.

To Lori Chamberlain, thank you for always being there for me whenever my computer acted up. Thank God for you, Lori! You never said No, and were on your way over to my office before I could hang up the phone.

Rebekah Sager and Roger Fountain helped me see my vision and encouraged me to keep moving forward, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Auntie Leah Chase, my mentor, taught me how to make the best Creole food on the planet and entertain guests with food and wine; I owe you more than youll ever know. And I miss you every day.

My heartfelt thanks to Cynthia Segovia, who was (and still is) at my side protecting me, caring for me, and constantly watching the financial books, making sure I didnt get into too much trouble

Chuck Gandolfo, my general contractor, saved my home from bankruptcy before it was even completed. Chuck G helped develop the winery property, restore the Adobe, build the winery and the entire infrastructure.