Alfred State alum helping with local hand sanitizer production

When Justin Recktenwald noticed a Facebook post about a local business converting alcohol into hand sanitizer, he saw an opportunity to help out and make a positive impact on his community. 

The post belonged to Cider Creek Hard Cider, an award-winning craft hard cider manufacturer in Canisteo, which is seeking to help local residents in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic through manufacturing and distributing hand sanitizer. Cider Creek is owned by Kevin Collins, whose father, Dr. Byron Collins, was a well-known surgeon in the area for more than 50 years. Recktenwald, a 2010 graduate of Alfred State’s agricultural technology program, is the owner of Wild Brute Winery in Arkport, and The Brute, a Finger Lakes-focused wine bar located in Hornell. 

“We certainly were not the originators of the idea (to produce hand sanitizer). However, Kevin was brainstorming how he could help flatten the curve and decided to distill some of his cider for a hyperlocal distribution of hand sanitizers,” Recktenwald said. “I saw his post on Facebook and offered up some wine for the effort.”

Speaking about his businesses and his decision to help, Recktenwald added, “We’ve always been community-focused and we had the materials to make a difference, so why not use them? I want to flatten the curve so that we can return to normal life and I want to see my customers, friends, and family safe and sound when this is over.”

Collins said he feels very happy and proud that he is in a position and has the ability to make the hand sanitizer.

“With most of our equipment being idle during the shutdown, we are able to use our cider and the equipment we have to turn it into sanitizer,” Collins said. “My father was a surgeon in Hornell for 53 years. I have always admired his dedication to the community to help them any way possible. This is an opportunity for us to help our community stay safe and help mitigate the spread of this pandemic. I will always do anything and everything I can to support our community.” 

Today, the effort is a collaboration involving Cider Creek; Wild Brute Winery; Krooked Tusker, a Hammondsport-based producer of award-winning bourbons, gins, and vodkas; and Bellangelo Vineyards out of Dundee.

“Cider Creek is spearheading the operation and Wild Brute is helping with product sourcing and production,” Recktenwald explained. “Krooked Tusker is doing the bulk of the distilling, and Bellangelo is helping with raw materials and outreach.”

This effort, Recktenwald said, has received immense support from many businesses and individuals.

“We’ve got four ‘competitors’ working together and we’ve had an array of small businesses lend services and materials,” he said.

Collins said he is humbled and honored by the support of Recktenwald, Krooked Tusker, Bellangelo, and everyone else who has helped.

“We are in a unique position to help our surrounding communities through our efforts,” Collins said. “It seems like small businesses around the country are all stepping up to help by whatever means possible. It's a great testament of what us small guys (businesses) can do when we join forces for a common objective. It makes you wonder what we could accomplish if everyone in the beverage industry pooled their resources to help in the making of hand sanitizer. The relationships that have been formed through our efforts will last a lifetime.  I couldn't be more thankful for everyone's support during these trying times.”   

The hand sanitizers are made “under emergency guidelines” by following regulations put in place by the FDA and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Explaining the process of making the hand sanitizer, Recktenwald said, “The antiseptic comes in the form of ethanol at 80 percent (160 proof). The ethanol is made by distilling the cider or wine, which essentially separates the ethanol out of solution by boiling points. From there, the ethanol is mixed with glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, a denaturing ingredient to prevent people from drinking it, and distilled water. Then it is hand-bottled.”

So far, the businesses have produced a few thousand bottles and will likely be producing more, Recktenwald said. Cider Creek is handling the distribution of the bottles through its social media channels.

“We are getting the sanitizer out via priority level. Hospitals, first responders, law enforcement, and so on are the focus,” Recktenwald said. “We were able to donate a large amount of sanitizers and are doing individual sales to recoup costs and produce more.”

The best way to stay up to date on the production and distribution of the hand sanitizer, Recktenwald said, is to follow Cider Creek and/or Wild Brute Winery on Facebook (@cidercreekhardcider and @thebrutewinebar) and Instagram (cidercreekhardcider and wildbrute).