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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

Happy Friday! Docta-Ron New Zealand IPA is now available in cans and on draft at both pubs and for shipping in our online store! Also out for distribution in bottles and draft. Hopped with Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, NZH 106, Motueka, and Superdelic! Link in bio. Cheers!🍻

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18264775156292751
Happy Friday! Docta-Ron New Zealand IPA is now available in cans and on draft at both pubs and for shipping in our online store! Also out for distribution in bottles and draft. Hopped with Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, NZH 106, Motueka, and Superdelic! Link in bio. Cheers!🍻

We are honored to, once again, be invited by our friends at @brasseriecantillonofficiel to participate in Zwanze Day 2026, a worldwide celebration of fun and friendship! Join us Saturday, April 25th, at our Downtown Santa Rosa pub when the doors open at 11am! This very special event is first come, first served, with no reservations or tickets required. Cantillon beers available in very limited quantities so arrive early for the best chance to taste them all!

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17985255503991687
We are honored to, once again, be invited by our friends at @brasseriecantillonofficiel to participate in Zwanze Day 2026, a worldwide celebration of fun and friendship! Join us Saturday, April 25th, at our Downtown Santa Rosa pub when the doors open at 11am! This very special event is first come, first served, with no reservations or tickets required. Cantillon beers available in very limited quantities so arrive early for the best chance to taste them all!

Fonio Blonde Ale is back in 16oz cans at both our pubs and gift shops! Also heading out for distribution to Whole Foods and Oliver`s Market locations where RRBC beers are sold! This light bodied blonde ale has notes of fruit, grape juice, and lychee imparted by Fonio, a drought resistant ancient African grain that has the ability to grow in nutrient-poor soil without fertilizers and pesticides. Fonio has been around for over 5,000 years and is a vital source of income for small West African farms. #NationalBeerDay

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18127993147600487
Fonio Blonde Ale is back in 16oz cans at both our pubs and gift shops! Also heading out for distribution to Whole Foods and Oliver's Market locations where RRBC beers are sold! This light bodied blonde ale has notes of fruit, grape juice, and lychee imparted by Fonio, a drought resistant ancient African grain that has the ability to grow in nutrient-poor soil without fertilizers and pesticides. Fonio has been around for over 5,000 years and is a vital source of income for small West African farms. #NationalBeerDay

🎰 LUCKY WINNER! 🎰 Now on tap at both pub locations, this West Coast IPA is named as an homage to Vinnie`s dad who would always say "Lucky Winner!" when seeing someone pulled over by the police. 🍻Cheers!🍻

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18353567062230029
🎰 LUCKY WINNER! 🎰 Now on tap at both pub locations, this West Coast IPA is named as an homage to Vinnie's dad who would always say "Lucky Winner!" when seeing someone pulled over by the police. 🍻Cheers!🍻

👨‍⚕️The doctor is in!👨‍⚕️ Docta-Ron is back in stock and available in cans and on draft at both pubs and for shipping in our online store! First brewed in May 2023 when renowned New Zealand hop breeder Dr. Ron Beatson visited RRBC to collaborate with Vinnie in the pilot brewery, this New Zealand style IPA features Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, NZH 106, Motueka, and Superdelic hops.

Link in bio.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17895312717431471
👨‍⚕️The doctor is in!👨‍⚕️ Docta-Ron is back in stock and available in cans and on draft at both pubs and for shipping in our online store! First brewed in May 2023 when renowned New Zealand hop breeder Dr. Ron Beatson visited RRBC to collaborate with Vinnie in the pilot brewery, this New Zealand style IPA features Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, NZH 106, Motueka, and Superdelic hops. Link in bio.
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