Russian River Brewing Company was founded in 1997 in Guerneville, California, as a collaboration between Korbel Champagne Cellars and master brewer Vinnie Cilurzo. Gary Heck of Korbel recruited Vinnie as the brewery's head brewer and sole initial employee. Over the next six years, Vinnie established exceptionally high standards for hop-forward and Belgian-style ales, pioneering what would become California's renowned craft beer movement. Pliny the Elder, the brewery's flagship Double IPA, became one of America's first commercially-produced Imperial IPAs and has since garnered countless prestigious awards, maintaining its status as the brewery's most celebrated offering two decades later. In 2003, Korbel exited the brewing industry, transferring the Russian River Brewing Company name, all beer recipes, and intellectual property to Vinnie and his wife Natalie Cilurzo. The couple developed a comprehensive business plan, secured two managing partners, and successfully raised capital from 30 friends and family members to establish their independent brewpub enterprise, which has grown into one of America's most influential craft breweries.