Petar Kirilov, Founder and Winemaker of Kukeri Wines, was born and raised in Bulgaria, where his passion for winemaking first took root. In 2002, he earned his Master’s degree in Winemaking from the prestigious University of Food Technologies, establishing the foundation for his lifelong pursuit of excellence.
Driven to refine his craft, Petar moved to California in 2003 and began his journey in Napa Valley with an internship at the renowned Truchard Vineyards in the Carneros region. Immersed in one of the world’s most respected winegrowing regions, he deepened his understanding of vineyard expression and precision winemaking.In 2005, Petar joined Vinovation, a pioneering high-technology wine company, where he contributed to advanced research and development projects that shaped modern winemaking practices. He later served as Winemaker for Meadowcroft Wines and Foyt Wines, where he oversaw the production of premium wines across a diverse portfolio of distinguished vineyard sites.In 2013, Petar founded Kukeri Wines with a singular vision: to craft limited-production, single-vineyard wines from exceptional sites in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. His philosophy unites Old World heritage with New World precision, guided by patience, intention, and uncompromising dedication.Today, Kukeri Wines stands as the embodiment of Petar’s lifelong devotion to revealing the purest expression of place—crafting wines defined by elegance, authenticity, and enduring legacy.