The Founders

We moved to Calgary, Canada, from Moscow, Russia, in July 2001. We both have graduated from the Moscow University. Sergei has master’s degree in law and Karina has master’s degree in foreign languages. Sergei worked for 13 years as a lawyer and judge of the City of Moscow. Karina worked for 10 years for a Canadian owned commercial real estate company that has an office in Moscow. For the last couple of years she was the general manager of the property management division of the company.

When we came to Canada we realized that all our knowledge, skills and experience in dealing with people and selling our services could be used in liquor business. We have good connections in the liquor industry in Russia and we saw a niche in the Alberta market for high premium authentic Russian liquor products such as a Russian vodka. And we brought our first product – Black Stallion Russian Vodka.  This is how we came to the liquor industry.

Karina has successfully completed two wine courses offered by the International Sommelier Guild on her way to the Sommelier diploma. Sergei has also completed his WSET 2 certification but for the two of them, the knowledge they gained from the last 20 years is more than enough to succeed.

Team Members