Russian River Brewing Company wordmark logo in yellow

About Us

Our History

About RRBC

Russian River Brewing Company was founded by Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, CA, in 1997. Vinnie was hired as the brewery’s brewmaster and initially sole employee. For the next 6 years, Vinnie continued to set the bar high for super hoppy and Belgian-inspired beers. Pliny the Elder, first brewed at the Korbel location in 1999, was one of the first commercially brewed Double or Imperial IPAs in America and won numerous awards over the years. It is still our most popular beer more than 20 years later.
In 2003, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and transferred the rights to the Russian River Brewing Company name, all beer names, and the recipes to Vinnie and his wife, Natalie. We wrote a business plan, found 2 managing partners, and convinced 30 friends and family to invest in their new brewpub venture. In April 2004, we opened the doors to the next chapter of Russian River Brewing under our ownership.
Vinnie and Natalie posting with beers at a Pliny the Younger release
Our beers have won dozens of awards from the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. Vinnie and the brewery were twice named “Brewery and Brewmaster of the Year” at both the GABF and World Beer Cup. In 2007, Vinnie was awarded the “Russell Scherrer Award for Innovation in Brewing”. We received the “Brewers Association Recognition Award” in 2017. But the most important award of all are the many beer enthusiasts who visit from around the world year after year!
Over the years, we were able to buy out all of our partners and investors. The decision was made in 2014 to build our dream brewery right here in Sonoma County. The search for property took nearly 2 years which allowed us time to assemble our “dream team” of architects, consultants, designers, and contractors. We also received a lot of helpful advice from their friends in the beer industry! We found 15 undeveloped acres in Windsor, CA, and were quickly immersed in the project of a lifetime.
Vinnie and Natalie at Russian River Brewing Windsor ribbon cutting
20 year employees on Russian River's 20th anniversary
On October 11, 2018, we opened the doors to our new brewpub! The entire brewery is 85,000 square feet and encompasses beer production for both clean beers and sour barrel-aged beers, administrative offices, a brewpub, an outdoor beer garden, a gift shop, tasting room/growler fills, guided and self-guided tours, and 2 acres of free parking. This increased capacity has allowed us to distribute more draft and bottled beer to markets in which we currently sell as well as open up some new territories within the state of California. The original Downtown Santa Rosa location continues to thrive offering small batch brews and tasty pizza. Vinnie, Natalie, and all our dedicated employees are excited to share a beer or two at both breweries with you!

Connect with us

We are on Instagram

Happy National Pizza Day! It`s a great day to try one of the new pizzas on the menu at the Santa Rosa pub, like the Brewer`s Gold featuring marinara, mozzarella, premium cup pepperoni, ricotta, and hot honey! What`s your favorite slice? #NationalPizzaDay

414 10
Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17943638160104904
Happy National Pizza Day! It's a great day to try one of the new pizzas on the menu at the Santa Rosa pub, like the Brewer's Gold featuring marinara, mozzarella, premium cup pepperoni, ricotta, and hot honey! What's your favorite slice? #NationalPizzaDay

Join us this Sunday to pre-game before the BIG GAME! Our game-day themed specials in Windsor are a traditional Seattle Dog, a New England Dog, and New England Clam Chowder. And check out the Chile Cheese Dog pizza special in Santa Rosa! Enjoying the game with friends at home? Stock up on pizza, chicken wings and beer to go. Happy Hour ALL DAY every Sunday and FREE Parking at both breweries!

157 1
Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17931879135190443
Join us this Sunday to pre-game before the BIG GAME! Our game-day themed specials in Windsor are a traditional Seattle Dog, a New England Dog, and New England Clam Chowder. And check out the Chile Cheese Dog pizza special in Santa Rosa! Enjoying the game with friends at home? Stock up on pizza, chicken wings and beer to go. Happy Hour ALL DAY every Sunday and FREE Parking at both breweries!

Our newest R&D series IPA 90, created by Vinnie in the pilot brewery, will be available tomorrow on tap and in cans at both pubs! Hopped with Tangier, Nectaron and NZH-106 with notes of citrus, orange, and sweet fruit. Heading out for draft distribution on Friday as well as online!

518 5
Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18007098401838082
Our newest R&D series IPA 90, created by Vinnie in the pilot brewery, will be available tomorrow on tap and in cans at both pubs! Hopped with Tangier, Nectaron and NZH-106 with notes of citrus, orange, and sweet fruit. Heading out for draft distribution on Friday as well as online!

First kegs of 2026 Pliny the Younger are coming off the line and heading out starting Monday to bars and restaurants throughout our entire distribution network! Keep an eye out on social media for tappings beginning next week!
Fresh batches of Younger will be brewed for our in-person release March 20th-April 2nd. For everything you need to know about the beer, the man and more, visit the link in our bio.

3884 74
Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18121973005499728
First kegs of 2026 Pliny the Younger are coming off the line and heading out starting Monday to bars and restaurants throughout our entire distribution network! Keep an eye out on social media for tappings beginning next week! Fresh batches of Younger will be brewed for our in-person release March 20th-April 2nd. For everything you need to know about the beer, the man and more, visit the link in our bio.
Russian River Brewing Company logo small

Are You 21 or Older?

Yes
No