A Legacy Brewed: Sal Bonavita and Alfred Peet

Explore the rich history of coffee, from Sal Bonavita and Alfred Peet and beyond. Discover how their legacy continues in Weaver's Coffee & Tea today.

Sal Bonavita: Pioneering Quality in Coffee

In 1979, Sal Bonavita acquired Peet's Coffee from its founder, Alfred Peet, marking a pivotal moment in the brand's history. Together they laid the foundation for the next sixty years of Specialty Coffee with a vision to deliver premium coffee beans sourced from the finest regions worldwide. Their dedication to quality was evident in every cup, ensuring that coffee aficionados experienced the true essence of each single origin coffee versus coffee blends. Their commitment to excellence shaped the early years of specialty coffee, setting a high standard in the coffee industry and roasts of coffee.

Alfred Peet: The Coffee Maven

Alfred Peet, a Dutch-American entrepreneur born in 1920, left an indelible mark on the coffee industry with his commitment to quality and innovation. Renowned as a coffee connoisseur who brought European-style roasting techniques to America in 1966, revolutionizing the way coffee was perceived and enjoyed. His meticulous approach to sourcing and roasting coffee beans set a benchmark for the industry, influencing generations of coffee enthusiasts. Alfred Peet's journey into the world of coffee began in his native Netherlands and later Indonesia, where he developed a deep appreciation for the art and science of the roast of coffee and blending coffee. His early experiences would lay the foundation for his future as a trailblazer in the industry. Being a revered coffee connoisseur and the founding father of specialty coffee in California he revolutionized coffee appreciation. His legacy lives on in every cup of specialty coffee.  Beyond creating a successful business, Alfred Peet mentored and influenced the founders of Starbucks, Peet’s and Weaver’s Coffee & Tea, sharing his expertise in roasting and sourcing beans. His guidance was instrumental in shaping the early success of Starbucks and played a crucial role in defining the standards for quality coffee in the industry.

A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

In 1980, Sal Bonavita hired John Weaver to work at Peet’s Coffee. John Weaver's learned his expertise in coffee sourcing and roasting techniques from Sal Bonavita and Alfred Peet. Together, Sal Bonavita and John Weaver continued to refine single origin coffees and coffee blends, ensuring each cup maintained its distinctive flavor profile and high standards. In 1984, Sal Bonavita sold Peet’s Coffee to Jerry Baldwin. John Weaver remained as the Master Roaster of Peet’s Coffee for 27 years. Weaver left Peet’s Coffee in 2007 and co-founded the brand Weaver’s Coffee & Tea and the roasting company, Wild Card Roasters with Renée Brown, Michael Brown, and Bryce Inouye. Peet's original coffee roaster is on display in the Weaver's Coffee & Tea Coffee shop and Coffee Roastery in San Rafael, California.

Alfred Peet's 1905 Royal Coffee Roaster

Join Weaver’s Coffee & Tea Experience

Whether you're a long-time admirer of early history of coffee in California, or discovering coffee for the first time, we invite you to savor the rich legacy and exceptional flavors that define Weaver’s Coffee & Tea. Explore our diverse range of coffee blends, single origin coffees, reserve coffees and stunning teas, each crafted with passion and precision.

Discover More About A Legacy Brewed

For more insights into Weaver’s Coffee & Tea and updates on our latest offerings, visit our website, download our app, and follow us on youtube. Join the conversation and become part of the history and legacy of coffee today.

Weaver’s Coffee & Tea is committed to offering the best coffee and tea for consumers and businesses. As social entrepreneurs, we actively support community organizations and global farmers. Our journey as authentic coffee roasters from the San Francisco Bay Area began in 1980 with a legacy spanning over four decades. We continue to uphold a commitment to delicious, healthy coffee that's good for you and good for the environment. Locally, we donate a portion of sales from select blends like Astral Blend Coffee to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, Hakrz Coffee to Black Girls Code, and Pride Coffee Blend to the SF AIDS Foundation. Globally, over fifty percent of our coffee is sourced from Fair Trade Certified farms, ensuring our customers enjoy a cup of coffee that gives back to local and global organizations.

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