What Sterling Caviar does

Sterling Caviar LLC is a California-based sustainable white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) aquaculture company and caviar producer, operating four farms in Elverta, Wilton, Elk Grove, and Ione. Founded in 1983 as Stolt Sea Farm California LLC and renamed Sterling Caviar in 2006, the company pioneered commercial tank-raised sturgeon caviar production in 1993 and now operates as the largest caviar producer in the United States. Following its September 2024 merger with Tsar Nicoulai Caviar under the Bolourchi brothers' leadership, Sterling Caviar became the largest caviar farm in North America.

The company's product portfolio comprises five caviar tiers graded by egg size, texture, and color: Classic (entry-level, from $117/30g), Royal (SOFI Product of the Year 2022, from $138/30g), Supreme (hazelnut/earthy profile, from $159/30g), Imperial (ultra-premium gold pearls, from $424/30g), and Two-Color (rare, under 3% of harvest, from $254/30g). Production uses traditional malossol method (roe and salt only, no additives) with three-month controlled aging at 24-27°F. The company holds Seafood HACCP, USDC Seafood Inspection Program, and CITES certifications for international trade.

Sterling Caviar operates a multi-channel revenue model: D2C e-commerce through Shopify (sterlingcaviar.com) with FedEx overnight shipping, B2B wholesale servicing restaurants, distributors, airlines and cruise lines nationally and internationally, area retail for sturgeon meat, and the Kilo Club annual subscription service ($2,300-$2,600/year for 8 quarterly deliveries). Customer segments include luxury consumers and connoisseurs for special occasions and gifting, Michelin-star fine-dining establishments (Benu SF, Hudson's NYC), wholesale distributors, and Kilo Club subscription members. Marketing emphasizes press coverage (Forbes, Food & Wine, BBC, Vogue, NYT), chef ambassador partnerships (Philip Tessier), and industry event presence (Seafood Expo North America, La Paulée de New York, Food & Wine Classic Aspen).

Name

Sterling Caviar

Legal name

Sterling Caviar LLC

Website

https://sterlingcaviar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sterling Caviar LLC is a California-based sustainable white sturgeon caviar producer operating four farms and serving as the largest caviar farm in North America post-2024 Tsar Nicoulai merger, selling premium graded caviar through D2C e-commerce, B2B wholesale to restaurants/airlines/cruise lines, and a subscription club.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Elverta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Caviar Sales (D2C): Direct-to-consumer sales through e-commerce storefront. Products include caviar (Classic, Royal, Supreme, Imperial, Two-Color), accoutrements (blinis, crème fraîche, latkes, chips, smoked sturgeon), accessories (servers, spoons, totes, apparel), and gift cards. Free shipping on orders $300+.
2. Kilo Club Subscription: Annual membership club delivering 8 deliveries of 125g caviar packages (Royal, Supreme, or Mix) over one year. Includes accessories (shirt, tin opener, mother of pearl spoons, tote bag) and 25% off additional caviar purchases.
3. Wholesale/B2B Caviar & Sturgeon Meat: B2B sales to distributors, foodservice accounts, restaurants, retailers, airlines, and cruise lines nationally and internationally. Sturgeon meat sales to restaurant/retail/wholesale accounts only.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sterling Caviar operates four white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) farms in California and produces a graded portfolio of sustainable, tank-raised caviar (Classic, Royal, Supreme, Imperial, Two-Color) using the traditional malossol method with only roe and salt. The company sells caviar and sturgeon meat direct-to-consumer through its Shopify e-commerce storefront and Kilo Club subscription, and sells caviar and sturgeon meat wholesale to restaurants, retailers, distributors, airlines, and cruise lines nationally and internationally.

Product overview

Sterling Caviar offers a premium portfolio of white sturgeon caviar products graded by egg size, texture, and color. The core product line consists of five caviar tiers: Classic (entry-level), Royal (award-winning), Supreme (hazelnut/earthy), Imperial (premium gold coloring), and Two-Color (ultra-rare). Supporting the caviar offerings are complementary food accessories including Pre-Made Blini, Creme Fraiche, Bite Size Latkes, and Smoked Sturgeon. The company also provides branded serving accessories (Mother of Pearl Spoons, Insulated Tote Bags, Tin Openers, Serving Bowls) and apparel. The Kilo Club subscription service provides recurring deliveries of premium caviar packages. The company operates four farms in Northern California (Elverta, Wilton, Elk Grove, Ione) and merged with Tsar Nicoulai Caviar in September 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Classic Caviar Entry-level white sturgeon caviar with nutty, robust, smooth flavor profile featuring small to medium semi-firm to very firm eggs with onyx to brown coloring, served in gold lacquer lined tin cans; priced from $117 to $3,143 across 30g to 1kg sizes.
• Royal Caviar Award-winning white sturgeon caviar with rich, full, buttery, mildly sweet flavors and medium-to-large semi-firm to firm pearls; won SFA sofi 2022 Gold Award in Seafood Category and Product of the Year; priced from $138 to $3,714 across 30g to 1kg sizes.
• Supreme Caviar Premium white sturgeon caviar with complex hazelnut and earthy flavor profile giving way to a velvety finish, featuring large, firm to very firm eggs in onyx to brown coloring; priced from $159 to $4,285 across 30g to 1kg sizes.
• Imperial Caviar The crème de la crème of the caviar portfolio, prized for large pearl size and olive to gold or blond coloring, with rich, buttery flavor, delicate nutty notes, a satisfying pop, and unforgettable creaminess; priced from $424 to $11,427 across 30g to 1kg sizes.
• Two-Color Caviar Ultra-rare white sturgeon caviar representing less than 3% of harvest, featuring striking brownish-green pearls with vegetal notes, minerality, and creamy undertones; large to very large, firm to very firm eggs from a single sturgeon; priced from $254 to $6,856 across 30g to 1kg sizes.
• Sterling Smoked Sturgeon 5oz portion of Sterling smoked sturgeon, a complementary product to the caviar line, sold to restaurant, retail, and wholesale accounts.
• Pre-Made Blini Golden, crispy pre-made blinis designed to complement and enhance the caviar tasting experience.
• Creme Fraiche Creamy crème fraîche selected as an accompaniment to elevate the caviar tasting experience.
• Bite Size Latkes Bite-sized latkes as an accompaniment for caviar serving.
• Sterling Caviar Gift Card Digital gift card available in denominations of $100, $150, $200, $250, $300, $500, $750, and $1,000 with no expiration date and no processing fees.
• Kilo Club Membership Exclusive annual caviar subscription club delivering 8 deliveries of 125g caviar packages (Royal, Supreme, or Mix) over one year, including a shirt, tin opener, four mother of pearl spoons, a tote bag, free shipping, and 25% off additional caviar purchases for one year.
• Mother of Pearl Spoon Mother of pearl caviar serving spoon with Sterling Caviar engraved on the handle; non-metallic spoon recommended for serving caviar to avoid altered taste perception.
• Sterling Insulated Tote Bag Insulated tote bag for transporting and maintaining temperature of caviar products.
• Sturgeon Caviar Tin Opener Specialized tin opener designed for opening gold lacquer lined caviar tins.
• Versace Medusa Caviar Bowl Luxury Versace Medusa branded caviar serving bowl.
• Hammered Server Hammered metal serving dish for presenting caviar.
• Sterling Caviar Cotton Jersey Navy cotton jersey with Sterling Caviar logo, featuring the text 'founders of sustainable sturgeon farming'.
• Velvet Blue Pearl Utensil Set Velvet blue pearl utensil set for caviar service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-week refrigerated shelf life unopened
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Tsar Nicoulai CaviarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024September 2024 merger combining Sterling Caviar and Tsar Nicoulai Caviar under unified management. Led by Mark Bolourchi and Ali Bolourchi. Creates the largest caviar farm in North America, setting new standards for quality and sustainability. Positions entity to compete with Asian and European caviar producers.
• GLIDE SFminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 May 2020COVID-19 relief partnership donating sustainably farmed California white sturgeon fish to GLIDE's meals program. Created #FreshFishFriday meals to serve communities in need.
• Chef's RollminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Chef's Roll visited Sterling Farm for behind-the-scenes tour video. Featured exclusive content showcasing Sterling Caviar as 'one of the best caviar farms in the world'.
• Pressoir.WineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 June 2019Partnership for At Home Session with Mathieu Roland-Billecart of Champagne Billecart-Salmon. Virtual tasting event featuring Sterling Caviar pairings with champagne.
• Philip TessierflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 January 2019World-renowned American Chef, Bocuse d'Or award winner, and author of 'Chasing Bocuse'. First American chef to place in the prestigious Bocuse d'Or competition. Serves as 2019 brand ambassador. Quote: 'Sterling has set the standard for the craft, science, and quality behind today's caviar!'.
• Hudson's (NYC)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2018NYC dinner-cruise ship hosted series of Sunday suppers featuring Brazilian Chef Alex Atala with Sterling Caviar pairings.
• RW Seafood (Rocklin, CA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArea retailer selling Sterling sturgeon meat for individual purchase. Located at 3707 Stone Temple Ct, Rocklin, CA 95765.
• Sunh Fish Co. (Sacramento, CA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArea retailer selling Sterling sturgeon meat for individual purchase. Located at 1900 V St, Sacramento, CA 95818.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tsar Nicoulai Caviar: California-based sustainable sturgeon caviar producer that merged with Sterling Caviar in September 2024. Operates a similar aquaculture and white sturgeon caviar model and was Sterling's closest direct competitor in the U.S. farmed caviar market prior to the merger.
• California Caviar Company: Another U.S. farmed sturgeon caviar producer operating in California with comparable sustainable aquaculture credentials, D2C e-commerce, and wholesale distribution to restaurants and retailers. Direct farm-to-table competitor in the same white sturgeon farmed caviar category.
• AmStur Caviar: American sturgeon aquaculture company producing farmed caviar (American osetra, hackleback, paddlefish) for retail and foodservice. Comparable to Sterling on U.S.-based farmed caviar production, sustainability positioning, and B2B wholesale distribution to restaurants and retailers.

Broad incumbents

• Petrossian: Iconic Paris/New York caviar house and luxury food brand with a broad portfolio of caviar, smoked salmon, and gourmet retail. Comparable to Sterling on premium caviar sales channels, fine-dining relationships, and D2C luxury gifting, but operates as a multi-category incumbent rather than a vertically integrated farm.
• Marky's Caviar: Long-established U.S. gourmet food distributor and retailer specializing in caviar, smoked fish, and fine foods. Comparable to Sterling on wholesale and D2C distribution of premium caviar, though Marky's sources across multiple producers rather than operating its own farms.

Emerging players

• Browne Trading Company: Maine-based premium seafood distributor and caviar program with strong chef and fine-dining relationships. Comparable to Sterling on B2B/wholesale caviar distribution, hospitality channel, and DTC gourmet positioning, though it focuses on wild and farmed caviar sourcing rather than aquaculture ownership.
• Imperial Caviar & Caviar Kaspia: International premium caviar operator with retail and restaurant concepts. Comparable to Sterling on luxury caviar branding, fine-dining relationships, and DTC channels, though it sources across multiple origin countries rather than operating California aquaculture.
• Russian Caviar House: Producer of farmed Russian and Siberian sturgeon caviar (including Royal Black River brand) competing in the premium farmed caviar category. Comparable to Sterling on tank-raised sturgeon aquaculture, premium positioning, and global B2B and DTC distribution.
• Regalis Caviar: U.S. importer and distributor of premium farmed caviar (including hackleback, paddlefish, and farmed sturgeon) targeting fine-dining chefs and luxury consumers. Comparable to Sterling on D2C gifting, restaurant channel focus, and premium brand positioning, though it operates as a sourcing brand rather than a vertically integrated farm.

Regional players

• Royal Belgian Caviar: European farmed sturgeon caviar producer offering premium sustainably farmed caviar for retail and foodservice. Comparable to Sterling on tank-raised white sturgeon aquaculture, premium positioning, and DTC/wholesale channels, but primarily serves European rather than North American markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sterlingcaviar
• Facebookfacebook.com/SterlingCaviarLLC
• Instagraminstagram.com/sterlingcaviar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sterlingcaviar

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sterling Caviar