Today’s featured business was nominated by Liza Solberg from Spynergy (episode 13 of the podcast), and it’s Rhine Hall Distillery, run by her cousin Jenny Solberg Katzman. Located at 2010 W Fulton Market in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor in the West Loop, Rhine Hall manufactures European-style fruit brandies made from locally sourced fruit. In this episode, Jenny discusses starting the business with her dad back in 2012 and how they came to specialize in these types of spirits. She also shares a bit about their business model, which includes selling their brandies primarily to bars and restaurants, as well as some direct-to-consumer business via their tasting room and cocktail classes. We of course dig into pandemic pivots and how some quick thinking kept them afloat during the shutdown. I really enjoyed learning more about their business and can’t wait to try one of their cocktails when I make my way out to the tasting room. Here’s my interview with Jenny Solberg Katzman from Rhine Hall Distillery…
In Jenny Solberg Katzman’s interview we discuss:
- What Rhine Hall Distillery does and why Jenny and her dad started it in 2012
- Why they chose to specialize making European style fruit brandies in Chicago and ultimately turn it into a business
- Challenges with opening a business around alcohol in Chicago
- A bit about the business incubator and neighborhood where they started the business
- The business mix – tasting room, experiences, selling to distributors which in turn sell to bars and restaurants
- Where they distribute their products
- Pandemic challenges given that a bulk of their business comes from bars and restaurants; pivots to keep the business afloat – hand sanitizer, virtual cocktail classes
- Some of the cocktails they make in the tasting room
Jenny’s Nominations
- Tori Gwin, Real Estate Agent
- Just Like Family – Nanny Agency
- Violet Hour – a bar that offers some cocktails with Rhine Hall spirits, located at 1520 N Damen in Wicker Park
- Soap Distillery – manufactures soap and other personal care products with cocktail inspired scents
Rhine Hall Distillery
2010 W Fulton St
Chicago IL 60622
(312) 243-4313
https://www.rhinehall.com/
