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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

Brew HaHa Craft Beer Radio on the Drive will be broadcasting LIVE from the Windsor brewpub today from 3-6pm! Natalie and Vinnie will be on air, and so will Stephan Pastis from Pearls Before Swine, who we are collaborating with on a limited edition Pliny the Elder label in November! There will be some other surprise guests, giveaways, and fun! Bring the family and dogs! Listen live on @the.driveradio! Link in bio!

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18023851484719903
Brew HaHa Craft Beer Radio on the Drive will be broadcasting LIVE from the Windsor brewpub today from 3-6pm! Natalie and Vinnie will be on air, and so will Stephan Pastis from Pearls Before Swine, who we are collaborating with on a limited edition Pliny the Elder label in November! There will be some other surprise guests, giveaways, and fun! Bring the family and dogs! Listen live on @the.driveradio! Link in bio!

Join us Saturday, November 7 for the return of the @summitbeerfestival 🍺 We’ll be pouring alongside 50+ California breweries, with unlimited tastings, live music, local food, and plenty of craft beer to explore — all in support of @cacraftbrewers and independent California craft beer.

The festival takes over the @westernmuseumofflight in Torrance, where you can explore vintage aircraft and aviation exhibits between pours. ✈️

🎫 Grab your tickets now — link in bio!

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18113080115041400
Join us Saturday, November 7 for the return of the @summitbeerfestival 🍺 We’ll be pouring alongside 50+ California breweries, with unlimited tastings, live music, local food, and plenty of craft beer to explore — all in support of @cacraftbrewers and independent California craft beer. The festival takes over the @westernmuseumofflight in Torrance, where you can explore vintage aircraft and aviation exhibits between pours. ✈️ 🎫 Grab your tickets now — link in bio!

Tomorrow! Join us in the Windsor Beer Garden for a FREE screening of BEETLEJUICE! Low/beach chairs welcome. No outside food or drink.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18075949565442350
Tomorrow! Join us in the Windsor Beer Garden for a FREE screening of BEETLEJUICE! Low/beach chairs welcome. No outside food or drink.

🍺Happy International Beer & Pizza Day! 🍕
Hopfather is tasting great and available on tap and in cans at both pubs as well as for shipping in our online store! Pairs wonderfully with the Santa Rosa pub slice of the day: marinara, mozzarella, chicken, heirloom tomato and basil! Link in bio! #BeerAndPizzaDay

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18115912075814792
🍺Happy International Beer & Pizza Day! 🍕 Hopfather is tasting great and available on tap and in cans at both pubs as well as for shipping in our online store! Pairs wonderfully with the Santa Rosa pub slice of the day: marinara, mozzarella, chicken, heirloom tomato and basil! Link in bio! #BeerAndPizzaDay

“It’s showtime!” Join us Wednesday, October 14th in the Windsor Beer Garden for a FREE screening of BEETLEJUICE! Low/beach chairs welcome. No outside food or drink.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18635617576034149
“It’s showtime!” Join us Wednesday, October 14th in the Windsor Beer Garden for a FREE screening of BEETLEJUICE! Low/beach chairs welcome. No outside food or drink.
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