Incoming West Loop Distillery Tells a Chicago Tale in Each Sip | Eater Chicago

"Tucked inside a blue-grey warehouse in the Kinzie industrial area of the West Loop, I found Wolf Point Distilling to be a small-batch spirits operation run by co-owners and fiancés Victoria Polvino and Pavlos Dafnis, who sold their first bottles after four years of preparation and plan to debut a 21-seat tasting room at 215 N. Laflin Street, Unit 1 in early 2022 (the tap room was scheduled to open in January). Named for the meeting point of the Chicago River’s north, south, and main branches, the meticulously neat warehouse reflects Dafnis’s scientific obsession—shelves stacked with bags of grain and a “botanical library” where they experiment with infusions like rose hips, hibiscus, and lavender. Their bottles are each named for Chicago landmarks or tales: Florence Field Gin carries an intricately illustrated label made up of its botanicals (juniper berries, lemongrass, coriander) as a tribute to philanthropist Florence Field, and other offerings include a signature Wolf Point bourbon, Jackscrew vodka, O’Leary’s Cow cinnamon‑infused vodka, and a seasonal Captain Santa vapor‑infused moonshine. Inspired by the distinct branding of breweries like Three Floyds, they hope the labels spark conversation and local-history rabbit holes; while awaiting permits they are pursuing a packaged‑goods license for curbside pickup, sell online and through some area restaurants and bars, and plan to expand their four‑person team with bartenders to serve spirit flights and a brief cocktail menu." - Naomi Waxman