Gov. Tom Wolf today sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, urging it to remove Russian-sourced products from Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in the Commonwealth and cease selling them as quickly as possible.

“I have joined with leaders across the nation and across the world in condemning these attacks and expressing support for the people of Ukraine,” Wolf said. “I appreciate the board’s efforts to quickly identify Russian-sourced products currently being sold at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. I urge the board to take these further actions as a show of solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine, and an expression of our collective revulsion with the unprovoked actions of the Russian state.”

Chuck Moran, executive director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, said the group supports the governor in urging the PLCB to do so. This is a reasonable option for the Commonwealth to take to show its disapproval of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the damage the attack has done to world peace.

“As far as our association knows and so that we do not confuse them with “Russian-themed” vodkas, there are a few actual Russian-made vodkas sold in Pennsylvania’s stores. They include Russian Standard and Ustianochka. Russian Standard is owned by Roustam Tariko, a Russian oligarch,” Moran said.

He added, “With many great vodka options available, our Association is encouraging Pennsylvania’s family-owned taverns, bars, clubs, and licensed restaurants to avoid using Russian-made vodka for now. It will be a minor inconvenience for some, but national American brands like Tito’s from Texas and locally made vodkas like Holla Spirits in York are good options when mixing drinks that require vodka.”

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