Should You Buy La Scolca Wines? Sommelier Oleksandr Meyer Highlights the Return of the Italian Brand to the Ukrainian Market

Oleksandr Meyer, a well-known Ukrainian sommelier, has recently brought to light the return of the Italian winery La Scolca to the Ukrainian market. This development comes despite the fact that the company has not only continued its sales in the aggressor state but has also maintained active operations in Russia. In a post on Facebook dated August 6, 2023, Meyer pointed out that the president of La Scolca personally visited Russia to participate in a wine dinner, which sparked outrage among Ukrainian consumers.

At that time, the importing company Wine Bureau decided to cease the supply of La Scolca wines to Ukraine, a move perceived as an ethical response to the winery's actions. However, in a new post published on April 2, 2026, Meyer announced that La Scolca wines were once again available to Ukrainian consumers, igniting a new wave of discussions on social media.

“Do you remember this post from 2023? Great respect to Wine Bureau, they stopped working with La Scolca. But time passes, memories fade, sommeliers do not always adhere to ethics, and money has no smell. With the return of La Scolca to the Ukrainian market, thanks to the Odessa-based company FoodImport. This importer is so interesting that even their website is not recommended by antivirus software,” Meyer wrote in his post, highlighting the ambiguity of the situation.

Meyer also noted that the legal address of FoodImport is located on Mala Arnautska Street in Odessa. According to open sources, the address is stated as: 65007, Ukraine, Odessa region, city of Odessa, Mala Arnautska Street, house 72, apartment 41, Dobryansky Ruslan. However, the official website of the company lists a different address: 65033, Vasilya Stusa Street, 2/1, Odessa.

Furthermore, Meyer emphasized that La Scolca has not exited the Russian market and continues to promote its brand in Russia, including holding events, albeit more discreetly. “P.S. No, La Scolca has not left the Russian market and continues to promote its brand in the swamps, including holding events, but does this more secretly,” he added.

At the time of this article's publication, La Scolca wines were available for purchase on the FoodImport website, as well as in online stores such as Solo Vino, Maudau, ProVino, and Silpo. This indicates that, despite the ethical concerns surrounding La Scolca's operations, consumers once again have the opportunity to purchase these wines.

Additionally, the sommelier, who also serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has reached out to the public for support in raising funds for needs related to vehicle repairs, equipment, and building materials. For donations of 500 UAH or more, participants in the fundraiser can win a bottle of Volnay 1er Cru Les Roncerets Rouge 2020 Domaine de Chassorney. Support for this fundraiser can be provided via the link shared by Meyer.

Thus, the return of La Scolca to the Ukrainian market has elicited a mixed reaction, underscoring the complexity of ethical questions in the business world, especially in times of war. Consumers are faced with the choice of whether to support brands that continue to operate in the market of the aggressor state or not.