3421 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, California 95401, United States
OUR HISTORY
Willowside Meats has been a long standing establishment in Sonoma County for nearly 60 years. The business first opened its doors in the 1960s as a small butcher shop for the ranchers and farmers in the area. The shop (pictured circa 1970) has not changed much since it first opened its doors. It has since passed through a few hands in its long standing history in the community. Don Alberigi purchased the shop in the late 1980s and has since turned the shop into the well known and respected establishment that is today.
In May 2019 Chris Peterson and John Taylor acquired the business from Don Alberigi. Chris and John are excited to add their expertise to the business, while still keeping the history and feel of the old school, family run butcher shop alive.
Meat The Team
Chris Peterson
John Taylor (JT)
John Taylor (JT)
Owner / Head Butcher
Chris has been in the meat business for nearly 20 years having gotten started in the industry when he was just 16 years old. If Chris isn't at the cutting block you'll most likely find him working on new recipes for jerky, sausages, or marinated meats. He has been to many meat competitions state wide and has created many award winning smoked meats, sausages, and marinated meats. Chris is ready to take his years of experience and put them to use in managing his own shop.
John Taylor (JT)
John Taylor (JT)
John Taylor (JT)
Owner / Ranch Butcher
Many of you may know John Taylor as “1 Shot JT”, the man driving the blue, mobile ranch slaughtering truck that has served Napa, Sonoma, and Marin counties for over 30 years. Many of you may not know that JT also has a history of working at Willowside Meats. When he was 14 years old he worked in the shop when his grandfather (Ken Howard) owned the business. He is very exited to be back in the shop again, getting to work with the whole process. But don’t worry, you will still find him working out in the field taking care of all your ranch slaughtering needs.
Joe Gilliam
John Taylor (JT)
Joe Gilliam
Butcher
Joe has over 10 years of experience working in the meat industry and is truly the jack of all trades. You can find Joe handling just about anything in the shop from cutting meat and loading the smoke house, to helping customers and stocking the retail counter. Joe is happy to help wherever needed to make sure the shop is better than ever.
Samantha Fontana
Samantha Fontana
Samantha Fontana
Secretary
Samantha has grown up in Sonoma County with a family heavily involved in the meat industry. Showing steers throughout high school she developed a love for the agricultural community. You can catch Samantha either on the phone taking your cut instructions or helping at the front counter. She is always eager and ready to help with a smile on her face.
Don Alberigi
Samantha Fontana
Samantha Fontana
Don Alberigi has owned and operated Willowside for almost 30 years with the help of his wife Darlene. Building a stellar business and an even more incredible reputation. Now, Don is heading into “retirement” and is passing the reins down to Chris and JT. Retirement is a loose term as Don will still be working in the shop on occasional days, lending us his expertise and years of knowledge.