When Rolando Herrera started working in the wine industry, he never thought one day he’d run his own winery.

Herrera said he was perfectly happy working as a part of the cellar crew.

“I was fine back then thinking I’d be a cellar rat for the rest of my life,” he said. “I loved it from day one,” he said. “Every aspect of it.”

“It didn’t even cross my mind that someday I would be a winemaker and own my own business.” 

Twelve years later, in 1997, at the urging of his friends, Herrera began bottling his own wine.

“The name was a natural,” he said. Mi Sueño (my dream) was born.

Mi Sueño Winery started small, producing 200 cases a year. Today, the business bottles 5,500 cases per year and produces pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and syrah.

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

My grandfather, Jose Maria Herrera who passed away when my father was only 1 year old. Pelé, the king of soccer and César Chávez whose cultural significance, wisdom and patience cannot be understated.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

I would have loved to been an astronaut. How cool would it be to walk on the moon and cruise the universe. On the other hand, since I hate traffic I would not want to be a truck driver.

What was your first job?

My career in the wine business began humbly as a dishwasher at Auberge du Soleil.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

Having to water 100 one-gallon plants each day after school. Since my father was a nursery foreman we were expected to help out each day after school.

How did you get into this business?

In the summer of 1985, I was hired by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars to build a stone wall at the home of Warren Winiarski. Later they offered me a job to work harvest and I would later serve as their cellar master for seven years.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

The financial start-up costs for even a small winery can be challenging, to say the least. I had to max out my credit cards and work multiple jobs just to get started.

Who do you most admire in the business world?

Within the wine industry, Robert Mondavi, Warren Winiarski and winemaker Paul Hobbs. Outside of the wine industry, Warren Buffett and Steve Jobs. Industry mavericks and trailblazers have always served as a source of inspiration for me.

What is your favorite charity?

There are so many great local charities and organizations that contribute to the well-being in advancement of our community. Recently, I was honored to be named by the Napa Valley Language Academy to serve as their honorary chairman for their 2009 La Viña Wine Auction.

What was your childhood ambition?

When I was 10 years old, I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to be an NFL running back. Ultimately, I decided that it was more fun making wine rather than getting tackled by guys four times bigger than me.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

Jac Cole – Winemaker, Spring Mountain Vineyard.

Jim Caven – Pisenti & Brinker.

John Liles – Financial Planner.

Garret Murphy – Proprietor/partner of Vintner’s Collective.

More from Rolando Herrera

I can’t live without:

A glass of wine with dinner.

What’s on your to-do list?

Grow the best grapes possible.

Spend more time traveling the world with my family. I have six kids — five girls and one boy. 

Take golf lessons.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

Achieve a better balance between work and family. When I accomplish this, then I will be truly successful.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Honestly, absolutely nothing. While the challenges have been many, today I control every facet of my business: vineyard management, winemaking, consulting, bottling and marketing. Combine that with great employees, great customers and community support, and what more could you ask for?

What’s your favorite gift to give?

A bottle of wine.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

Walking my vineyards early in the morning followed by an afternoon of tasting my wines in the cellar.

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

Emphasize the historical beauty and charm of old-Napa in the downtown area.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

Moving into my new winery facility and constructing a fully integrated business.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I have a great passion for soccer.

Each Wednesday, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local business person. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com