Michigan potato vodka company gets state grant, will add gin

A vodka made using Michigan potatoes that launched last year is getting a state grant to help increase production. In addition, the distilling company is adding a line of gin, also made using Michigan-grown potatoes.

North River Distillery was awarded $18,600 by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development as part of the Value Added and Regional Food System Grant Program. In all, $1.8 million will be distributed to companies using state produce to create food and beverages.

North River Vodka was started in 2018 by Chris and Amanda Iott of Jackson, Michigan. The couple’s goal was to create a potato vodka using only spuds from his family’s farm near Kalkaska. Iott Seed Farms is operated by Chris Iott’s brothers, Dennis Iott and Greg Iott, and his nephew Bryan Fischer.

“We are honored and excited that the state of Michigan has chosen us as a recipient of a value-added grant,” Chris Iott said. “We are proud to produce a product made and sold in Michigan from potatoes grown on a family farm in our home state. This grant will help us take the next step as we attempt to build a thriving business that we hope all Michigan residents will be proud of.”

The grant, which requires 30% in matching funds from North River Distillery, will be used to purchase the following equipment for North River Vodka:

• An industrial food grinder to shred fresh potatoes in preparation for the distillation process • Two 350-gallon stainless steel storage tanks for finished vodka • An on-demand hot water heater to aid in the distillation process

“Using whole, fresh potatoes isn’t the most efficient way to make vodka, but we feel strongly that it’s the right way for our product,” Iott said. “This grant will help us add efficiencies to our process so we can compete with larger, corporate distilleries from outside Michigan.”

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About North River Vodka

North River Vodka was launched in October 2018 and is currently available at Grand River Brewery in Jackson. It is scheduled to be released into statewide distribution later this summer through a partnership with Grand Traverse Distillery, which is located in Traverse City. It is made exclusively from whole, fresh potatoes grown on Iott Seed Farms. North River plans to add to its product line in early 2020 with the addition of North River Gin, which will be produced from potatoes currently being grown by Iott Seed Farms.

Iott Seed Farms

Iott Seed Farms is a 1,500-acre farm located in Kalkaska County that grows 500 acres and 18 million pounds of potatoes annually. Chris Iott grew up and worked through his school years on Iott Seed Farms, which was previously owned by his late father, Ralph Iott.

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