Robert and Sonat Birnecker

Koval distillery was founded in 2008 by the husband and wife team of Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker-Hart. Both of them left careers in government and academia to start the distillery. They decided together to move to the city they loved to work together more than working exclusively on their own career paths.

Dr. Birnecker, a third generation distiller, grew up helping his grandparents at their award-winning distillery and winery and later received numerous certificates from Austria’s leading university program for distilling technology. He wanted to bring his families distilling expertise and knowledge to America to search out his American dream. Not only has Robert taught distilling techniques to over 1000 people in the last 4 years in his own workshops, he is also a distilling instructor at the Siebel Institute in Chicago. Robert has also helped set up over 190 craft distilleries worldwide. Before focusing on distilling, Robert was the Deputy Press Secretary for the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC.

His wife, Dr. Sonat Birnecker-Hart lobbied and worked to update the Illinois liquor laws, and ultimately changed the laws to establish a Craft Distiller’s License, making it possible to have a small retail component and tasting room on-site, conduct tours, and reduce licensing fees. This has revolutionized the liquor industry in Illinois and has paved the way for a number of other local distillery businesses.