Before We Whine About A Wine Bar...

Let's add some cheese...

Aug 07, 2026

www.corvallisnow.com

Sticking with the recent trend of new spots opening (and closing), this one also ties into some of our recent coverage of downtown revitalization.

So, keep that in mind before you whine about a new wine bar opening. Or maybe we can whine about it over wine… if that’s not too cheesy.

It’s French. So there will be cheese as well.

Revenir, a new neighborhood wine bar and bottle shop from the owners of Bluebird Hill Cellars, is preparing to open in downtown. Bringing a curated wine list, shareable small plates, and a Southern French-inspired atmosphere to the dining scene.

The punchline writes itself. Corvallis is one of the more expensive places to live in Oregon. Rent and housing are not cheap. Groceries aren’t cheap. Going out to eat isn’t cheap. For a lot of people, it’s a luxury out of reach. It’s probably the last thing some people think we need. Or can afford.

It’s worth looking at the bigger picture, though.

Downtown revitalization won’t happen in one fell swoop. It will happen because individual business owners and entrepreneurs decide to take a chance. Think about some of our favorites: Greenhouse Coffee, Plant Posse, The Plaza, Lady Luck, and TSA Vintage (because they have cats). All of these business owners took a chance. They all added an individual and unique element that contributes to the whole.

A new opening means one less vacant spot… and there are plenty of those downtown. A new destination will provide people with another reason to go downtown, shop, and support other local businesses. Those are the kinds of things city leaders, business owners, and residents have been asking for.

Not everyone will become a regular. Not everyone can afford it. Some will support it, and some will criticize it. But if the goal is a healthier, busier downtown economy, then it's difficult to argue against another (semi-locally) owned business making an investment here.

Revenir is owned by Kevin Zhang and Cleo Song, who also own Bluebird Hill Cellars, which is located in Monroe just south of town. The soon-to-open space is intended to be a more casual, in-town counterpart to their winery, offering guests an intimate setting inspired by Southern France.

“We wanted to build a place where people feel like they can stay a while,” Zhang said. “Somewhere you come for a glass, end up sharing a few plates, and lose track of the evening in the best way.”

The menu reflects that philosophy with shareable plates including marinated olives, roasted hazelnuts, deviled eggs with prosciutto, charcuterie boards, calamari, roasted red pepper hummus, Chilean mussels in garlic white wine broth, wild ahi tacos, pulled pork sliders, and pressed paninis.

Alongside wines from Oregon, the list will also feature selections from some of the world’s best-known wine regions. As a bottle shop, customers can also purchase bottles to enjoy at home.

The name Revenir means “to return” in French. We hope it returns a small piece of vitality to downtown and adds to the whole (even if we can’t afford it).

Revenir has scheduled a soft private opening on August 8 and 9, at 208 SW 2nd St.

Their website can be found here. W(h)ine away.

This article was written by Brian Lindensmith, a contributor to The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com