BEST WINEMAKER
By Ismael Ramos D ENNIS MCCARTER, MCCARTER CELLARS
B eing voted Best Winemaker by readers and residents of “wine country” must be an unbelievable feeling— and it certainly seems that way for Dennis McCarter. “For the amount of time I’ve been doing this, it is surreal to be voted Best Winemaker,” he says. “I am glad my mom is alive to see it. A dream that started in a garage making home wine 15 years ago has led me to the path I am on today.” Founding McCarter Cellars in 2022, he attributes his love for wine from a food-and-wine pairing course he took at Santa Rosa Junior College. “Wine elevates food, food elevates wine. Wine brings people together,” says McCarter. With so many talented winemakers in Sonoma County, it’s not easy setting yourself apart. For McCarter, the key is both complicated yet simple—produce wine from the soul. “I put my soul into it. I taste my wines at least monthly through the process. Keep wines topped to prevent oxidation, check lab values and make adjustments as necessary. I taste it through all phases of fermentation and aging,” he says. It’s this attention to detail that has garnered McCarter
Dennis McCarter
numerous awards and accolades. Just like a fine wine, our Best Winemaker, Dennis McCarter, gets better with age. v
mccartercellars.com
BEST LOCAL BREWERY/SPRIRITS
R USSIAN RIVER BREWING COMPANY
By Alex Russell
Y ou may be surprised to learn that Russian River Brewing Company, a stalwart of local producers, actually started as part of the wine industry. “Russian River Brewing Company was founded by Korbel Winery in 1997,” says Natalie Cilurzo, who today co-owns the brand with her husband and brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo. “We assumed ownership of the brand, all recipes that my husband created while working there, and opened our brewpub in downtown Santa Rosa on April 3, 2004.” A second location, in Windsor, opened in 2018. The company is perhaps best known for Pliny the Younger, an annual release that draws aficionados from across the globe. “Visitors make the pilgrimage from all over the world to both our brewpubs each year during the two-week release,” says Cilurzo. “Last year, our 20th annual release contributed $8.6 million to the local economy.” It’s also often recognized for its hoppy IPAs and sour barrel-aged beers. Cilurzo continues, “Pliny the Younger is a seasonal favorite, but Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig IPA and STS Pils are some of the most popular flagship beers.” Going forward, Cilurzo says the company (which employs about 180 people) will “remain focused on using the highest quality ingredients, reinvesting in our business, providing great customer service and taking care of our team.”
Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo
Final thoughts? “I love the community in which we live and work,” she says. “I also love the beer industry and the many friends we have made over the years. … And thank you for voting us Best Brewery in this year’s readers’ poll!”. v
russianriverbrewing.com
26 Northbaybiz
Best of the North Bay 2025
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