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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

We have some great new releases available today!

ROW 2 HILL 56 is back!
Brewed with lots of Simcoe hops selected from the three original Simcoe-growing families in Yakima, WA, Row 2 Hill 56 has a classic Simcoe aroma with notes of grapefruit and pine with a lingering hoppy finish.
Available in both pubs and for shipping in our online store, as well as in bottles and draft for distribution.

SUPPLICATION 3 Liter Bottles!
A brown ale aged in used Pinot Noir barrels with sour cherries, Brettanomyces, and good bacteria. This beer is a brown-red color with hints of cherry, oak and a medium sourness. These large format bottles make a great gift for the beer lover in your life or to share with your friends and family during holiday celebrations!
Available in both pub gift shops and for shipping in our online store (while supplies last).

Link in bio.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18094497116507113
We have some great new releases available today! ROW 2 HILL 56 is back! Brewed with lots of Simcoe hops selected from the three original Simcoe-growing families in Yakima, WA, Row 2 Hill 56 has a classic Simcoe aroma with notes of grapefruit and pine with a lingering hoppy finish. Available in both pubs and for shipping in our online store, as well as in bottles and draft for distribution. SUPPLICATION 3 Liter Bottles! A brown ale aged in used Pinot Noir barrels with sour cherries, Brettanomyces, and good bacteria. This beer is a brown-red color with hints of cherry, oak and a medium sourness. These large format bottles make a great gift for the beer lover in your life or to share with your friends and family during holiday celebrations! Available in both pub gift shops and for shipping in our online store (while supplies last). Link in bio.

🍽️ TODAY Dine Out and Take Out to Give Back! 🍽️
✨ Simply dine at either our Santa Rosa or Windsor Brewpubs and we will donate 50% of that day’s food and beverage sales to Food For Thought food bank! 🤝
💗 Patrons will also have the opportunity to win fantastic drawing prizes or snag a 20% Off Tuesdays Card, valid at participating restaurants throughout 2026.
👉 For a complete listing of all participating Sonoma County restaurants, and to learn more about DOFL 2025, visit the link in our bio.

#fftfoodbank #dofl2025 #diningoutforlife2025

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18332160001214670
🍽️ TODAY Dine Out and Take Out to Give Back! 🍽️ ✨ Simply dine at either our Santa Rosa or Windsor Brewpubs and we will donate 50% of that day’s food and beverage sales to Food For Thought food bank! 🤝 💗 Patrons will also have the opportunity to win fantastic drawing prizes or snag a 20% Off Tuesdays Card, valid at participating restaurants throughout 2026. 👉 For a complete listing of all participating Sonoma County restaurants, and to learn more about DOFL 2025, visit the link in our bio. #fftfoodbank #dofl2025 #diningoutforlife2025

Secret Santa hearts are here! Join us and many other businesses in Sonoma County who have partnered with CVNL to help those less fortunate this Holiday Season. Stop by both our Santa Rosa and Windsor locations to grab a heart or two from the tree, then return wrapped gifts by December 19th! #secretsanta2025
#givingtuesday

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18063970397449000
Secret Santa hearts are here! Join us and many other businesses in Sonoma County who have partnered with CVNL to help those less fortunate this Holiday Season. Stop by both our Santa Rosa and Windsor locations to grab a heart or two from the tree, then return wrapped gifts by December 19th! #secretsanta2025 #givingtuesday

Both pubs will be open normal business hours all week except Thanksgiving Day! Cheers and Happy Holidays!🍻🦃

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17857347516506011
Both pubs will be open normal business hours all week except Thanksgiving Day! Cheers and Happy Holidays!🍻🦃

Make RRBC a part of your Thanksgiving table! Mixed packs of HopFather, DDH Pliny the Elder, and Tempo Change are now available for shipping! Want to spice things up? Pliny Sauce goes great with turkey!

***Due to the short holiday week, we will only be shipping beer orders out on Monday 11/24.***

Link in bio.

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 18064421786439085
Make RRBC a part of your Thanksgiving table! Mixed packs of HopFather, DDH Pliny the Elder, and Tempo Change are now available for shipping! Want to spice things up? Pliny Sauce goes great with turkey! ***Due to the short holiday week, we will only be shipping beer orders out on Monday 11/24.*** Link in bio.

🍽️ Dine Out and Take Out to Give Back on Thursday, December 4! 🍽️

Dining Out For Life (DOFL) is Sonoma County`s largest dine and donate event benefiting the Food For Thought food bank. Many Sonoma County residents could use a little extra help this Holiday Season.

Giving back is easy! ✨ Simply dine at either our Santa Rosa or Windsor Brewpubs on December 4th and we will donate 50% of that day’s food and beverage sales! 🤝 💗 Patrons will also have the opportunity to win fantastic drawing prizes or snag a 20% Off Tuesdays Card, valid at participating restaurants throughout 2026.

👉 For a complete listing of all participating Sonoma County restaurants, and to learn more about DOFL 2025, see the link in our bio.
#fftfoodbank #dofl2025 #diningoutforlife2025

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Open post by russianriverbrewingofficial with ID 17910883980251352
🍽️ Dine Out and Take Out to Give Back on Thursday, December 4! 🍽️ Dining Out For Life (DOFL) is Sonoma County's largest dine and donate event benefiting the Food For Thought food bank. Many Sonoma County residents could use a little extra help this Holiday Season. Giving back is easy! ✨ Simply dine at either our Santa Rosa or Windsor Brewpubs on December 4th and we will donate 50% of that day’s food and beverage sales! 🤝 💗 Patrons will also have the opportunity to win fantastic drawing prizes or snag a 20% Off Tuesdays Card, valid at participating restaurants throughout 2026. 👉 For a complete listing of all participating Sonoma County restaurants, and to learn more about DOFL 2025, see the link in our bio. #fftfoodbank #dofl2025 #diningoutforlife2025
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