Mauricio Collada Jr. MD – Owner
Mauricio was born in Havana, Cuba in the 1950’s. He came to the United States with his family in 1962, a few years after Fidel Castro’s communist revolution. His fascination with wine began while he was attending the pre-med program at the University of Miami in Florida by making wine at home from mangoes and bananas. During his training in medicine his interest in wine continued. With extensive research, input from friends and acquaintances in the wine industry, his passion for wine making continued to grow. Mauricio moved to Salem, Oregon after completing his neurosurgery residency in New Orleans. Upon arriving in Oregon in 1983 to start his practice and establish his family, Mauricio was surprised to find out that his favorite wine grape, Pinot Noir, had the perfect climatic conditions for its development in the Willamette Valley. He became entranced by the elegance, the complexity and the vibrancy of the Oregon Pinot Noir. He knew that eventually he would be in the wine industry. It was an easy decision to pursue his passion with the 1986 purchase of a 21-acre parcel in the Eola-Amity Hills located within the Willamette Valley, and the founding of Cubanisimo Vineyards.
Debra Collada – Event Coordinator
Debra’s adventure into the wine industry began later in her career path, but it has been no less passionate. It was not until she met Mauricio Collada in 2004, that she found her fascination for wine. Debra’s first career has been that of a caring mother and dedicated nurse. She has been working as a nurse since 1995 and now enjoys working part-time in the nursing field so she can dedicate more time to Cubanisimo Vineyards. She now walks the vineyards with Mauricio, participates with the harvest and bottling of the wines, manages the wine tasting room, and dedicates herself to all other aspects of Cubanisimo. She is involved in the distribution of Cubanisimo wines and is the Event Coordinator for weddings and private events that take place at Cubanisimo Vineyards throughout the year. Debra has found another passion that matches her people-loving, outgoing personality.
Jenelle Ford – Operations Manager
Jenelle has recently located to the Willamette Valley from Santa Barbara, California. Although hailing from another fabulous wine region, she is just becoming a novice wine connoisseur, falling in love with Oregon and Pinot Noir. With a background in small business administration and marketing, she manages Cubanisimo’s day to day operations. “It’s a great balance for me”, Jenelle says. “I love meeting new people and I have the privilege of working for and with amazing people, in a beautiful location. What more could a girl ask for?”
