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KIRIGIN CELLARS
| Owners | Louis Bonesio 1917-1976 | Nikola Kirigin-Chargin 1976-2000 | Dhruv Khanna 2000-Present |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winemaker | Allen Kreutzer 1984-Present | ||
| Address | 11550 Watsonville Road, Gilroy, CA 95020 | ||
| Phone | (408) 847-8827 | ||
| Web Site | http://www.kirigincellars.com | ||
| Tasting Hours | Daily 10am-5pm | ||
| folks@kirigincellars.com | |||
| First Vintage | see History | ||
| Current Production | 2000 cases |
(Adapted in part from Croatians In Californiaby C. Michael McAdams, 1978) A few miles from Watsonville is a beautiful and secluded region known as the Uvas Valley ("Valley of Gapes"). In a state known for its wine regions, there are few places where wild grapes could be found when the Spanish arrived. One such place was the Uvas Valley which boasted wild grapes, perfect soil, perfect climate, and even artesian wells to facilitate the art of wine making. The site of the artesian well served as a home to Mexican revolutionary leader Joaquin Solis during the early 1820s. After the revolt of 1829, Solis was banished and in 1842 Governor Alvarado granted the entire rancho of 13,000 acres to Lorenzo Pineda. The land was later broken into smaller holdings, but the house remained as did the ancient winery. Known as the Uvas Winery, it was owned by the Bonesio family from 1917 until it was sold to two Croatian immigrants.
Nikola Kirigin-Chargin's family had been winemakers in Croatia. A graduate of the University of Zagreb in chemistry and enology, he came to the United States in 1959 with his wife and three sons and quickly found work in the wine industry. During the 1960s he became chief enologist and chemist for the San Martin Winery and later for Almaden Vineyards. He then moved to upstate New York where he served the Canandaigua Wine Company before returning to California to become vice-president and chief chemist of the Perelli-Minetti Winery. After a distinguished career which brought gold medals to a number of wineries, he retired to his own small winery in partnership with a fellow countryman, a successful businessman named Bud Matek.
In 2000 the winery was purchased by Dhruv Khanna, general counsel and co-founder of Covad Communications. Born in New Delhi, India and a graduate of Stanford Law School, Khanna is an avid cricket fan. Frustrated by the lack of cricket facilities in the area he searched for a suitable plot of land and found one in the Kirigin estate. Nikola Kirigin was, at age 84, finally ready to retire, so a deal was struck.
Established in 1916. Historic 7,000 sq. ft. Tuscan-style clubhouse, private tasting rooms, and barrel room. Venue for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations.
Estate-grown grapes, vinified on-site. Over 100 years of winemaking tradition.
Entire production of around 2,000 cases sold from tasting room. Portfolio includes Malvasia Bianca (Double Gold 2025 SF Chronicle), Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vino de Mocca dessert wine, and more.
Recent Awards (2025 SF Chronicle Wine Competition):
- Malvasia Bianca - Double Gold
- Multiple Gold and Silver medals
Most wines priced $15-$20 with case discounts.