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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

“Microbrewer Vinnie Cilurzo brewed this beer to celebrate 25 years of Simcoe hops… What is SIMCOE 25?!” The wait is over! Simcoe 25 West Coast IPA is back in cans at both our pub locations and for shipping in our online store. Link in bio.

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“Microbrewer Vinnie Cilurzo brewed this beer to celebrate 25 years of Simcoe hops… What is SIMCOE 25?!” The wait is over! Simcoe 25 West Coast IPA is back in cans at both our pub locations and for shipping in our online store. Link in bio.

Wow! How cool is that?! 🙌Vinnie’s Dad (Chenin and Steve’s Dad, too!) was the Lighting Director on Jeopardy from 1984-1995. In fact, one of our first dates was to see a Jeopardy taping in Hollywood. Vinnie’s parents would be so proud right now, as am I! And I hope everyone reading this got the question right! @jeopardy #indiapaleale

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Wow! How cool is that?! 🙌Vinnie’s Dad (Chenin and Steve’s Dad, too!) was the Lighting Director on Jeopardy from 1984-1995. In fact, one of our first dates was to see a Jeopardy taping in Hollywood. Vinnie’s parents would be so proud right now, as am I! And I hope everyone reading this got the question right! @jeopardy #indiapaleale

The last kegs of our GABF Silver Medal winner RnD West Coast Pils #7 will be on tap at both pub locations TODAY! Don’t miss it! 🍻

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The last kegs of our GABF Silver Medal winner RnD West Coast Pils #7 will be on tap at both pub locations TODAY! Don’t miss it! 🍻

Don’t miss out on our fresh hop IPA collaboration with Bale Breaker Brewing Company GREEN RUSH! Now on tap at both pub locations while supplies last!

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Don’t miss out on our fresh hop IPA collaboration with Bale Breaker Brewing Company GREEN RUSH! Now on tap at both pub locations while supplies last!

We have some 😱SCARY😱 good beers for you this Friday! DDH Pliny, Shadow of a Doubt Imperial Porter, and Zumo Wrestling Pale Ale are all available at both pub locations and for shipping in our online store! Link in bio.

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We have some 😱SCARY😱 good beers for you this Friday! DDH Pliny, Shadow of a Doubt Imperial Porter, and Zumo Wrestling Pale Ale are all available at both pub locations and for shipping in our online store! Link in bio.

Late night recap after the first two tasting sessions at this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado! We are having a great time reconnecting with old friends and sampling lots of tasty beers. Catch the awards ceremony streaming LIVE Saturday morning at 10AM Mountain time! https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/awards-ceremony/
@brewersassoc @greatamericanbeerfestival @dogfishhead @tapped33 #gabf2025

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Late night recap after the first two tasting sessions at this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado! We are having a great time reconnecting with old friends and sampling lots of tasty beers. Catch the awards ceremony streaming LIVE Saturday morning at 10AM Mountain time! https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/awards-ceremony/ @brewersassoc @greatamericanbeerfestival @dogfishhead @tapped33 #gabf2025
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