A proud and deeply rooted Cuban heritage inspired the name Cubanisimo for founder Mauricio Collada, Jr. Born in Havana, Cuba, and a lover of all things Cuban (except Castro), Mauricio developed a fascination with wines when a colleague during his medical residency shared knowledge gained from growing up in a winemaking family. Mauricio, a Salem based neurosurgeon, was entranced by the elegance, complexity and vibrancy of Oregon Pinot Noir and it was an easy decision to pursue his passion with the 1991 purchase of a 21 acre parcel nestled in the gentle Eola Hills.