Each Wednesday, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled.

One of downtown Napa’s oldest stone buildings is home to Vintner’s Collective, Garret Murphy’s multi-winery tasting room.

Murphy said he chose the location for his business because, “If you are going to create a destination, it’s got to be something special that people want to go back to.”

Known as the Pfeiffer Building, the sandstone structure previously was home to the Barth Brewery in 1875 and the Stone Saloon and brothel in the 1890s. Later, the building became the Sam Key Laundry and then the Andrews Meat Co. and Deli from 1976 to 1999.

The building at 1245 Main St. has “great karma,” Murphy said. “Working there every day is really wonderful.”

Murphy was born in Boston, but when he was just one year old his family moved to Europe where he lived  in France, Portugal, Belgium and England before moving back to the U.S. at 17.

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

Lance Armstrong, Neil Armstrong and Louis Armstrong. I actually enjoy meeting new people, so if you have interesting stories to tell and like travel, food, wine and laughter, come on in.

What was your first job?

Street performer doing magic, juggling and hypnosis at the Pompidou Plaza in Paris. I was 12 or 13. I was selling little knickknacks and my brother started by doing magic and hypnosis on the street. We made our extra money that way.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

My pastry apprenticeship when I was 14. I was paid a token wage, worked very long hours, and arrived for work at 3 a.m. Another of my worst jobs was as a telemarketer in Boston in 1987. My English was so poor on the phone people had no idea I was selling insurance, and they kept hanging up on me. No surprise, I was fired after three days.

How did you get into this business?

My father was certainly influential, he taught me about wine very early on. After 15 years working in the hotel industry, I went to work for a small winery on Mt. Veeder called Château Potelle. That was from 1998 to 2001. In 2002, I opened Vintner’s Collective to help a select group of boutique wineries get more exposure, and to make it easier for people to get access to these talented winemakers.

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

I practice kenpo karate and love watching MMA (mixed martial arts) fights.

What was your childhood ambition?

First, to be an astronaut. Later, I wanted to be a singer or a dancer. Thirty years later, I am a perfect wedding guest — always ready to take a spin around the dance floor.

I can’t live without:

my wife, Kim, my daughters, Manon and Juliette, travel, great food and wine and my favorite boots.

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

I think as Napans, we should always be conscious about trying to shop at and support local businesses as an alternative to ordering from the big chains. Give to your community and it will give back to you.

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

I sit on the Downtown Napa Steering Committee for the Downtown Napa Specific Plan. It is exciting to think about the thriving and exciting city that Napa can become. I know there’s so much potential here, and with a little momentum I believe Napa will be a vibrant city for locals and tourists alike. I’m proud to be a part of the change.

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

Brian Nuss of Vinoce Vineyards.

Jeremy Fox of Ubuntu Restaurant.

To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com

For more from Garret Murphy, go to www.napavalleyregister.com/business

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

I really try to live life to the fullest every day, so I try to focus on today rather than tomorrow. My family and friends are my lifetime achievement.

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

We work in an amazing national landmark building and we have wonderful customers, vintners and staff. I can’t think of what I would change.

What’s your favorite gift to give?

An unexpected one.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Our biggest challenge was to build a customer base, starting from zero. This challenge turned into our greatest resource. We’ve been lucky over the years to have amazing support from our customers and friends.

What’s on your to-do list?

The landmark building that houses Vintner’s Collective will be celebrating its 135th year in 2010. I’m finalizing our plans to celebrate.

Whom do you most admire in the business world?

My father-in-law Joe Erasmy and Steve Jobs from Apple. I am fascinated by entrepreneurs who build a business from scratch, or people who can take an existing business and grow it ten-fold.

What is your favorite charity?

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Doctors Without Borders, Habitat for Humanity, the Tour de Cure and above all, our local schools.

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

Somewhere I love, which is San Sebastian, Spain, or somewhere I want to visit in the future, like Turkey or Japan.

What job would you like to try/not try?

A job I would like to try is fireman.

Any of the “Dirty Jobs” with Mike Rowe from Discovery Channel would not be high on my list.