2007-10-19
Winemaker Profile: Baldacci Family Vineyards
ROLANDO H ERRERA
by Diana Greenwood
When you’re focused on one thing, chances are you’ll do it well. Rolando Herrera, Consulting Winemaker for Baldacci Family Vineyards, eats, sleeps, drinks and dreams winemaking and in his minimal spare time, he reads books on the craft. Inspired by the warmth of rich soil, the slant of the sun on vines, the smell of grape must and the fulfillment that comes when surrounded by barrels of fermenting wine, Rolando works long, hard hours and loves every minute.
Rolando caught winemaking fever at the age of seventeen working his first harvest at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. As he learned the fundamentals of the craft from vineyard to blending to bottle, creating the foundation for his career, Rolando’s passion grew and he learned to appreciate the magic of the art behind the hard work. He spent ten years at Stag’s Leap, the last seven as Cellar Master, and came to intimately know the terroir of this extraordinary district on Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail, recognized today for world-famous Cabernet.
Twenty years later, after stints as Assistant Winemaker for Chateau Potelle, Winemaker for Vine Cliff, and Director of Winemaking for Paul Hobbs Consulting, Rolando returned to the Stags Leap District and now hangs his consulting cowboy hat at Baldacci Family Vineyards. He feels as though he’s come home at last.
“Thomas Baldacci allows me freedom to create without limitations,” said Rolando. “He puts a lot of trust in me and I accept the challenge eagerly. The Cabernet we’re making from Lot Two, Brenda’s Vineyard – our only vineyard-designated wine from the property – is astounding. It’s a nine-year-old, corner location in the southern block where conditions are perfect from beginning to end. This vineyard is named for Thomas Baldacci’s wife, Brenda, and we only produce 170 cases each year so it’s a very special wine reserved for our wine club members only. This Cab is concentrated and rich with a silky, velvety texture; a pure expression of the vineyard and the Stags Leap District.”
Rolando believes he is a steward of the land, following Mother Nature’s guiding hand with understanding, patience, respect, and insight. He takes what the vines create under his watchful eye and crafts wine with passion and an innate sense of rightness from what he is given each year. “I love the science of winemaking,” he said. “But I consider myself more of an artist. Very often I break the rules of chemistry in favor of intuition and follow my experience and palate instead.”
The results of Rolando’s intuition may be sampled by appointment at Baldacci Family Vineyards, 6236 Silverado Trail, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily in an intimate tasting room nestled in a beautiful slice of the valley. The $5 tasting fee kicks back to your purchase. Rolando says the just released 2004 Estate Cabernets are exhibiting classic Stags Leap characteristics with aromas and flavors of ripe cherry, blackberry and chocolate, with slight hints of mint and cedar and elegant structure.
Rolando also runs Herrera Vineyard Management, which oversees Baldacci’s twenty-three acres on Cuttings Wharf Road in Carneros. Development began in 2002 and planted now are Pinot, Syrah, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Merlot. The first fruit will be this year. Rolando is most excited about the Pinot because he planted eight different combinations of root stock and clones, searching for the perfect marriage between soils and fruit. With the addition of the Cuttings Wharf property Baldacci will have a well-rounded Estate line up, showing great diversity and quality.
Rolando Herrera is living his dream-come-true. Of course, that dream doesn’t include sleep. He’s married with six, energetic children who keep him running and laughing and he sets a good example as a hard-working father. In addition to his extensive duties at Baldacci, Rolando owns a successful winery, Mi Sueño, producing about 4500 cases per year of several different varietals. What began as a side project of 200 cases of Chardonnay, developed into a thriving, sophisticated winery operated by one of the most dedicated winemakers in the business. Mi Sueño, in Spanish, means “My Dream.” Learn more at Rolando’s website – www.misuenowinery.com.
Visit Baldacci Family Vineyards and see what focus can do for wine. Call (707) 944-9261 for more information, to make a tasting appointment, or to join the wine club. Wine tech notes from Rolando and ordering tips are available on the website at www.baldaccivineyards.com.
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