GENERAL HISTORY
At Kukeri Wines, we source our grapes from exceptional, carefully selected vineyards throughout Sonoma and Napa Valley. Each lot is handled with extraordinary gentleness, allowing us to produce limited-production wines that embody the strength, elegance, and distinct terroir of their origin."
Every wine is unique and carries its own history and story—stories meant to be shared. Our wines are made to be shared, and with them, we share the story of Kukeri..
The Kukeri ritual traces its origins back nearly 8,000 years to the Thracians and the worship of Dionysus, the god of wine, rebirth, and celebration. Rich in symbolism, this tradition honors the cycle of life, death, and renewal, bringing blessings of prosperity and protection to the community.
The Kukeri wear elaborate full-body costumes with striking masks—often inspired by goats—that feature horns, hinged jaws, and vivid decorations. Some masks are double-faced, representing the forces of good and evil in perfect natural balance. Heavy bells hang from their belts, ringing through the air as they move.
The Kukeri also add various other symbolic articles to their horns such as tassels, ivy (which is sacred to Dionysus), basil (an herb which signifies love in some cultures) and feminine beads and ribbons.
Today’s Kukeri tradition is alive and well, and now is practiced by men and women of all ages.
The dance of the masked people is a mystic unity of rhythm, sound, and color. They move in special rhythmic steps. They fill the air with the sounds of their bells and of whispered blessings for prosperity.