The Delta in the Rearview Mirror, Di Rushing
The Delta in the Rearview Mirror, Di Rushing
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

The Delta in the Rearview Mirror
The Life and Death of Mississippi's First Winery

Author: Di Rushing

Narrator: Elisabeth Ashby

Unabridged: 6 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/25/2024


Synopsis

In 1976, Di Rushing and her husband, Sam decided to open the first winery in Mississippi. Their business was thriving by 1990, with eight national award-winning wines, a beautiful vineyard, and a successful restaurant.

But in March of 1990, a series of unforeseen events rocked the operation. After the Rushings discovered one of the tour guides, Ray Russell, selling drugs in the winery parking lot, they fired him. He responded with a terrorizing vengeance that persisted over the next nine months. In the early morning hours, the former guide broke into the winery and released the entire inventory—nearly a quarter of a million dollars' worth—down the drain. Fortunately, his incompetence thwarted his most destructive intention to blow up the restaurant. In his rampage, he broke all the windows, which allowed the gas from the kitchen oven to escape, sparing the premises. Though the Rushings rebuilt with the help of their community, Russell continued to stalk and threaten the young family. As his menacing behavior continued to escalate, the Rushings closed their business of fourteen years and moved to Ouray, Colorado, where they began rebuilding their lives. Culminating in the sudden, violent murders of Russell, his wife, and his father twenty-five years later, this book tells a story of both shock and resilience, charting Mississippi history in the process.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kathleen on February 10, 2024

I could hardly put this book down. I was so fascinated by the story of how this young couple worked so hard to establish the first winery in the state of Mississippi, start a successful tea room, and become part of the community of Merigold. Full disclosure – I am related to Di Rushing by marriage,......more

Goodreads review by Brianna on October 31, 2024

Ahhhh im so conflicted because I flew through this one and looove reading stories from and about Mississippi and this one in particular is so unique and obviously displays a love for the Delta despite its faults BUT I wanted to feel the way I did after Dispatches from Pluto and I was disappointed, pa......more

Goodreads review by McKenna on February 23, 2024

Honestly, it’s just heartbreaking to read the details of their lives. What strong, innovative, creative, focused people who were forced to leave their dream. Obviously I am glad to be on the receiving end as I would never have known Di had she not ended up in Ouray, but to hear her raw pain is hard.......more

Goodreads review by Lauren on March 10, 2024

An engrossing and fast-paced story of the life and death of Mississippi’s first native winery. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and this memoir certainly proves that point. Di Rushing’s writing is lively and entertaining. Lots of reflections on life in the MS Delta that I thoroughly enjoyed......more

Goodreads review by Tupelodan on February 28, 2025

Good, but troubling. Happy ending to a sad story … for the Rushing Family. The author’s writing was a bit too cute and cliche-ish for me at times, and her reluctance to use many last names was bothersome. Still, I would encourage readers to jump in.......more