SIP Feature
Kukeri Wines
Grounded in Dedication, Tradition, and Excellence
WRITTEN BY Laurie Jo Miller Farr
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Published On: August 01, 2025
PHOTOS COURTESy OF KUKERI WINES
As founder and winemaker at Kukeri Wines, Petar Kirilov would be the first to say that passion, dedication, and long hours are required to create unique wines. In the production of very small quantities of handcrafted wines, there simply are no shortcuts.
Kukeri Wines: Dedication
For Kirilov, reports of declining wine sales are a concern, but the love he pours into his brand at Kukeri Wines is unwavering. “When hard times come along in the wine industry, this kind of commitment is critical to small brands like mine. We must keep working to survive these challenging moments and keep making excellent wines,” he explained.
Kukeri Wines: Tradition
Faced with ever-changing trends, it’s understandable why Kirilov takes the long view. Because inspiration comes from his homeland of Bulgaria, where the ancient roots of winemaking can be traced back over 8,000 years, diligence and optimism are in his DNA. “About 80 percent of the people in my village make their own wine,” Kirilov said. “From an early age, I helped my father with our family wine. After completing my advanced studies in food technology, I carried history and culture from my small town to Northern California. Working with the very best growers in the best vineyards, my goal is to share the high quality that Kukeri represents in a small-lot wine.”
The brand name Kukeri also represents a connection to Kirilov’s homeland. It refers to a traditional Bulgarian ritual of pagan origin involving elaborate costumes and towering masks worn by dancers to ward off evil spirits. Meant to ensure good luck for harvest and a prosperous year, the folklore festival falls in the winter months between New Year’s and Lent. Petar was attracted to the festival when considering names for his wines because he “…wanted something tied to where I come from and who I am.” Today, Kukeri Wines salutes a celebration of life and a legacy of cultural heritage through winemaking.
Kukeri Wines: Excellence
Kirilov is focused on producing small lots of top-quality wines from some of the best single vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma County, such as Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, Mt. Veeder, Oakville, Yountville, Oak Knoll, Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, and Pinot Noir from Petaluma Gap and the Russian River Valley. Known for complexity, intensity, balance, and age-worthiness, bottles of Kukeri Wines continue to add accolades to an impressive collection of gold medals, double gold medals, best of class, and 100-point awards earned over the past decade.
These include prestigious international events such as the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Sunset International Wine Competition, where the 2023 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon won double gold, and the 2024 Kukeri Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc won best of class and double gold.
While there is no tasting room for visitors, Kukeri Wines are available directly to consumers online and in select wine shops, including Sonoma Wine Shop, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, and Mission Bay Wine and Cheese Shop.