Corazón is an experience 3+ years in the making, and it all began with an idea I had while working in the vineyards of the Willamette Valley.

I began this journey in 2012. I was a fresh undergraduate at Oregon State University in the Food Science and Technology department. Quickly, I became fascinated by the science of alcoholic beverage production, (no, really…), and started my first internship at A to Z Wineworks in the summer 2014. My first “real job” was working on their bottling line, later taking fall semester off to work my first harvest. I loved it.

I returned to A to Z in 2015 for a prized summer vineyard internship. I assisted with crop yield estimates, scouted for vineyard pests and diseases, worked with some amazing people, and had the opportunity to see some stunning, well-maintained vineyards throughout western Oregon. It was an impactful experience.

By 2018, I had graduated OSU, interned for Adelsheim Vineyards, made wine abroad in New Zealand, and begun my first full-time experience with Bluebird Hill Cellars in Monroe, OR as their associate winemaker and vineyard manager. 2018 was a picture-perfect vintage and we made some kick-ass wine.

2019 called me back to my hometown of Ontario, OR to be close to family. I went to work for the Idaho wine scene and enjoyed my experience there. But Corvallis and the wine community of the Willamette Valley kept calling me back.

I scrambled for a last-minute harvest gig. I found one with my close friend and fellow OSU alum Dave Cho (now founder of CHO Wines) at Duck Pond Cellars. It was a tough vintage but one that shaped my career. Not too long after, I went to work as a viticulture technician for Stoller and the idea for Corazón was born.

I had been daydreaming about the need for a wine bar in Corvallis. The Heart of the Willamette Valley. In a world-class wine production region. A cool college town. And no wine bar?

So, my sister- a business grad from OSU, and I drafted the business plan. Drawing upon my multicultural upbringing and using the latin translation for Corvallis, the name Corazón was a perfect fit.

Corazón was founded with my family and friends, the community, and the experiences of winegrowers and winemakers in mind. I wanted to create a place that promoted local winegrowers while providing space for the community to try wines from other regions of the world. Most importantly, I wanted to remove the pretentiousness surrounding wine tasting. My goal from the very beginning of my journey in the wine industry was to get more people drinking wine, to open new and exciting bottles. Corazón is the place for that.

Rotating glass pours. Lounge and Bar Seating. Guest Winemakers. Select Local and Import Wines. In-house charcuterie boards/ Or order in Pizza from American Dream. Date Night. Event Space. Downtown Corvallis.

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A very special thanks to my parents Joe and Margarita Cheatham, my grandparents Earl and Maryrose, and my abuelitos Rogelio and Lupe for their careful guidance and love. And a tremendous thanks to the lovely Kinser Nyden, and to Gary and Sheridan Nyden for making Corazón a reality.

See you soon,

-Nick