Iris Rideau

Iris Rideau
Born	circa 1937 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, winemaker, activist
Years active	1967–present
Known for	First Creole-American to own and operate a winery in the United States

Iris Rideau (born circa 1937) is a French Creole entrepreneur, winemaker, and activist. She holds the distinction of being the first Creole-American to both own and operate a winery within the United States.

Early life

Rideau was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, tracing her paternal lineage to French ancestor Armand Allard Gabriel Duplantier, who arrived in America in 1777 aboard the La Victoire, a vessel associated with Marquis de Lafayette. He subsequently established plantations in Point Coupee and Baton Rouge.

Growing up in New Orleans' Creole 7th Ward, she was raised in a family where her mother and uncles operated the Creole Bar and Grille. Educational opportunities were limited in her community; neither of her parents completed high school. After her parents divorced when she was two years old, her father relocated to California. Although initially dreaming of a career as a Broadway dancer, Rideau acquired French from her grandmother and spent summers on her father’s ranch in Corona, California. At age 12, she moved to eastern Los Angeles to be closer to him.

Her mother worked in a sewing factory; at 16, Rideau became pregnant and married but ended the marriage within a year. While employed at the factory, she pursued night classes at junior college, driven by a determination to use education as a pathway out of poverty. After completing her studies within a year, she secured a position as an insurance agency receptionist, where she concealed her ethnic background to retain employment.

In 1957, Rideau married Jimmy Rideau; they divorced in 1978. Since then, she has remained single and is now a great-grandmother. Her motivation for business achievement is rooted in overcoming financial hardship and ensuring stability for her daughter Renee.

Investment banking

Rideau launched her business ventures in 1967 by founding Rideau & Associates Insurance Agency, followed by Rideau Retirement Planning Consultants. Active as an investment and securities broker based in Los Angeles, she championed the rights of ethnic minorities. Between 1973 and 1976, she chaired the Mayor’s Affirmative Action Committee under Mayor Tom Bradley, facilitating employment opportunities for hundreds of minority women. She managed Rideau Insurance Agency until 1999 and established Rideau Securities Firm in 1982, which grew to encompass two offices staffed by 50 employees.

Wine

In 1989, Rideau ventured into viticulture by acquiring a six-acre property in Solvang within California’s Santa Ynez Valley; six years later, she expanded this holding by an additional 24 acres. This estate became known as Rideau Vineyard in 1991. With assistance from architects and winemakers, she transformed an adobe residence into a wine tasting facility.

Following the sale of her insurance and brokerage operations in 1997, she devoted herself entirely to winemaking. Focusing on Rhone varietals, she produces wines including Syrah, Mourvedre, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Black Enterprise highlighted her skill in pairing Rhone grape blends with influences from Creole culinary traditions.

Beginning with sales of 300 cases during her inaugural year, Rideau's production has grown to approximately 7,500 cases annually, generating revenue near $3.5 million. She collaborated with winemakers Ariel Lavie (2002–2005) and Andres Ibarra (2005–2008). Her wines have received Best in Show honors at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition.

Pamela M. Kalte emphasizes Rideau’s extraordinary accomplishment within the competitive vineyard sector despite lacking prior experience before founding Rideau Vineyard.

External links

• Official website