One couple's life-changing move is behind one of the best distilleries in Chicago

Nestled along Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago’s North Side is a distillery whose name carries generations of meaning, a vision for innovation, and a deep familial legacy. KOVAL Distillery, founded in 2008, wasn’t just created to make spirits—it was forged from the dreams of a husband and wife duo who were ready to build something bold, beautiful, and entirely their own.

Before opening KOVAL, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart and her husband, Dr. Robert Birnecker, were living a very different life in Washington, D.C. Sonat was a professor, and Robert was working at the Austrian embassy. But when the couple began planning their return to Sonat’s hometown of Evanston to start a family, they realized that the move gave them the perfect opportunity for an even more significant change—they could finally build something from the ground up.

Owners, Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker HartPhoto byKOVAL Distillery

Robert, a third-generation brandy distiller, had grown up learning the craft from his grandparents in Austria. “It was always a dream of his to go back to his roots,” Sonat explains. And so, with a leap of faith, the couple moved to Chicago and founded what would become one of the most pioneering craft distilleries in the country.

The name KOVAL was chosen with care and layered meaning. In many Eastern European languages, “Koval” means blacksmith or simply “smith”—a nod to Robert’s grandfather, whose last name was Schmidt (the German equivalent of Smith). But in Yiddish, Koval also means “black sheep” or “one who forges ahead”—a subtle tribute to Sonat’s own great-grandfather, nicknamed Koval, who left Vienna before World War II and was able to bring the rest of the family to safety. “It’s a testament to doing something with vision, something maybe unexpected,” she says, “but something with the capacity for a good beyond anything anticipated.”

Photo byKOVAL Distillery

From the beginning, KOVAL set out to do things differently. Their signature method centers around a ‘heart cut’ distillation process, meaning they only use the best part of what comes off the still—no heads, no tails, just the purest middle cut. Every spirit is single barrel and fully traceable—give them a bottle number, and they can tell you exactly what farm the grains came from. It’s a meticulous approach, but one that results in spirits with distinctive character, consistency, and integrity.

Building KOVAL wasn’t without challenges. “Spirits is not usually a business you enter without a lot of capital,” Sonat says, especially considering that whiskey must age for years before it’s even ready to sell. But before they could even think about aging barrels, they had to change the laws. Literally.

A sleek and modern tasting room pairs nicely with an assortment of spirits and cocktails.Photo byKOVAL Distillery

At the time, outdated Prohibition-era legislation made it nearly impossible to open a distillery in the city of Chicago. So Sonat rolled up her sleeves and worked in Springfield to change those laws—an effort that would not only make KOVAL possible but also pave the way for other craft distilleries to follow.

Today, KOVAL is internationally celebrated, with a growing portfolio of spirits and a strong reputation for innovation. Their bourbon—crafted with a unique mash bill of 51% corn and 49% millet—is the only one of its kind in the world. “It has notes of mango chutney and vanilla on the palate, with a peppery caramel finish,” Sonat notes. The Cranberry Gin Liqueur, meanwhile, is an homage to aperitif culture and has become a fan favorite—even among those who claim not to like gin. “It’s approachable, elegant, and makes incredible cocktails all year round.”

Perfect patio for soaking in the sun while tasting spirits.Photo byKOVAL Distillery

But what Sonat is most proud of isn’t just what comes out of the bottle—it’s what KOVAL has become for their family and their team. “It’s truly a family business,” she says. “Robert and I have built something that not only expresses his family ties and supports our own, but brings all the wonderful people here at KOVAL together.”

As KOVAL continues to grow—welcoming visitors, hosting events, and distributing their award-winning spirits around the world—it remains rooted in the values it was founded on: vision, integrity, and forging ahead.

For Sonat and Robert, it’s not just about distilling spirits. It’s about honoring legacy, embracing creativity, and building something meaningful—together.

Operating Hours and Location

KOVAL Distillery tasting room hours:

Monday-Thursday
4-10pm

Friday
3-10pm

Saturday
12-10pm

Sunday
12-8pm

4241 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

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