Stolichnaya has its origins in the Moscow State Wine Warehouse No. 1 which was opened in 1901 by the authorities to ensure higher quality vodka production.  There is confusion about the actual birth date of Stolichnaya vodka. The earliest confirmed production date is 1948, but the label design clearly predates 1946.   It is likely that it was created by V. G. Svirida around 1944.  However, there is a trademark patent dated 1938, which is sometimes quoted as another birth date.  In 1953, Stolichnaya was introduced at the international trade show in Bern and received a gold medal.