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10 Questions for Herb Schmidt of Wine Colleagues
J.L. Sousa/Register | Buy photos
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.
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CommentNovember 19th, 2008
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At Wine Colleagues in St. Helena, Herb Schmidt advises vineyard owners and wineries in a number of key areas including government and industry relations. It’s advice he’s well qualified to give, having spent 24 years working with Robert Mondavi in that capacity and more.
Schmidt said his goal is for wine to achieve a significant place in American culture.
Schmidt said his goal is for wine to achieve a significant place in American culture.
“We’re getting there,” said Schmidt.
These days more and more people recognize “that wine is part of a healthy lifestyle and good quality of life,” he said.
These days more and more people recognize “that wine is part of a healthy lifestyle and good quality of life,” he said.
What three people would you most like to have dinner with?
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson.
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson.
What job would you like to try/not try?
Try: Supreme Court Justice
Not try: President of the United States
What was your first job?
Mail clerk for the world’s largest manufacturer of precision airplane parts, in Michigan, around 1962.
How did you get into this business?
The Mondavi family asked me to join them at their then-small winery in Oakville in 1981.
What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
We just have so much fun doing (business), sometimes it’s a little distracting to go out and find new clients.
(I enjoy) the people that we work with, all the lunches and dinners, good wine and this great community of St. Helena.
Who do you most admire in the business world?
The late Robert Mondavi, Peter Mondavi, Robert MacDonnell with Round Pond Estate and Bill Laughlin, founder of Saga Foods Corp.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?
Win a PGA tour event. I especially enjoy playing at Aetna Springs Golf Course, Pebble Beach and Napa Valley Country Club.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
The Rutherford Grill. Favorite menu item? The ribeye steak.
What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?
Robert Mondavi’s vision through “the Mission Program.” His goal was to change the culture of American wines. We would go around the country and speak to legislators and professionals to try to bring awareness of our industry and help people understand wine.
The results are ongoing, but the positive effects of the program continue, and that’s evidenced by the growth of the American wine industry. The program significantly changed our culture.
What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”
Bill Cadman, Tulocay Winery.
Ray Coursen, Elyse Winery.
More from Herb Schmidt go to www.napavalleyregister.com/business
I can’t live without:
My daughters and wine, but not always in that order.
What’s on your to-do list?
Stay alive.
If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Charge our clients more money so we could have even more fun.
What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
I’m an environmentalist. I’m making my house green. We’re putting in a whole solar system, then we have special water heaters and insulation.
What was your childhood ambition?
Have fun and win at least one fight with my older brothers.
What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?
Establish a meaningful, constructive partnership with the environmental community to benefit all.
What’s your favorite gift to give?
Thoughts (they are free, unless you’re a client).
Try: Supreme Court Justice
Not try: President of the United States
What was your first job?
Mail clerk for the world’s largest manufacturer of precision airplane parts, in Michigan, around 1962.
How did you get into this business?
The Mondavi family asked me to join them at their then-small winery in Oakville in 1981.
What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
We just have so much fun doing (business), sometimes it’s a little distracting to go out and find new clients.
(I enjoy) the people that we work with, all the lunches and dinners, good wine and this great community of St. Helena.
Who do you most admire in the business world?
The late Robert Mondavi, Peter Mondavi, Robert MacDonnell with Round Pond Estate and Bill Laughlin, founder of Saga Foods Corp.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?
Win a PGA tour event. I especially enjoy playing at Aetna Springs Golf Course, Pebble Beach and Napa Valley Country Club.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
The Rutherford Grill. Favorite menu item? The ribeye steak.
What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?
Robert Mondavi’s vision through “the Mission Program.” His goal was to change the culture of American wines. We would go around the country and speak to legislators and professionals to try to bring awareness of our industry and help people understand wine.
The results are ongoing, but the positive effects of the program continue, and that’s evidenced by the growth of the American wine industry. The program significantly changed our culture.
What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”
Bill Cadman, Tulocay Winery.
Ray Coursen, Elyse Winery.
More from Herb Schmidt go to www.napavalleyregister.com/business
I can’t live without:
My daughters and wine, but not always in that order.
What’s on your to-do list?
Stay alive.
If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Charge our clients more money so we could have even more fun.
What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
I’m an environmentalist. I’m making my house green. We’re putting in a whole solar system, then we have special water heaters and insulation.
What was your childhood ambition?
Have fun and win at least one fight with my older brothers.
What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?
Establish a meaningful, constructive partnership with the environmental community to benefit all.
What’s your favorite gift to give?
Thoughts (they are free, unless you’re a client).
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