The first certified Black woman winemaker in Alabama is a reminder that Black women can do it all.
When Rada Griffin is not working with NASA to provide support for sending the first woman to the moon in 2024, she’s running her wine company, Anissa Wakefield Wines. This makes Griffin the first certified Black woman winemaker in Alabama.
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She launched the brand after finishing classes at Cornell University, where she perfected her wine skills.
“Wine to me is food,” says Griffin, who also has a reported side hustle as a private chef. “The same way you view food when a chef puts a plate in front of you, and it’s beautiful, and you can’t wait to taste it, that’s the same way I think about wine.”
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Out of more than 11,000 wineries in the United States, less than 1% are Black-owned. Griffin is hoping to change that narrative to see more.
“Particularly for African Americans, we’re trying to catch up with being included in the wine industry,” she says. “There’s a movement happening with Black people getting into the wine industry. You see it with celebrities and athletes alike. I’m hoping to do my part with bringing that forward.”
What To Expect With The Wines
Griffin highlights the label’s first vintage from 2018 was a white blend of Chardonnay and Roussanne varietals. It was a unique and bold blend for the wine industry, so customers should expect the same boldness in her next 6 varietals.
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While bottling and packing are currently underway, she’s already thinking about the future.
“Ultimately, my goal is to get the wines on the airlines,” says Griffin. “When you’re flying, and you’re choosing between white and red, and you open that booklet and read the wine brands, I want Anissa Wakefield Wines to be there. That’s the level I want to get to. That’s some years away.”
