At just 30 years old, Inès Fortemps de Loneux has managed to blend entrepreneurial ambition, artisanal flair, and a deep appreciation for quality spirits into one compelling venture: Entre Nous Gin, a micro-distillery based in Differdange, Luxembourg.
Originally from Belgium, Fortemps de Loneux studied management and financial audit—disciplines that would prove useful years later as she transitioned from employee to entrepreneur. “I actually chose these studies because I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur when I was 17, but I had no idea what I wanted to do.”
That entrepreneurial instinct simmered quietly while she worked in finance. A post-studies stint in Spain unexpectedly reignited it—not through spreadsheets, but through spirit. “It’s cliché, but in Belgium, as a student, it was more about beer. So when I arrived in Spain, it was like, wow, so many gin flavours! It was a really new world for me.”
A short time later, a gift from her mother—a distillation workshop, albeit for cosmetics—sparked a new curiosity. “The process is the same,” she says. It led her to explore distilleries and eventually pursue formal training in spirits production in France. That was the turning point.
She launched Entre Nous in 2022, and after a year and a half securing the necessary authorisations, her first batch was distilled in July 2023. For nearly three years, she balanced a full-time job with her distilling venture—“80% employee, 20% entrepreneur”—until finally going all-in by October 2024.
Building a Brand from the Basement
The micro-distillery itself is as local as the ingredients in her gin: a 50-square-metre setup in the basement of her home in Differdange where she distils around 250 litres once a month.
Fortemps de Loneux started by crafting limited-edition gins, testing flavours and building a small but devoted customer base. “What changed last year was launching the main recipe. This was definitely the game-changer,” she says. That flagship gin now sits on shelves at Delhaize, Leclerc, Munhowen Drinks, Pall Center, and Massen, while limited editions and a new pastis are sold via her website, gourmet shops, and local events.
“I have those connoisseurs who really like the limited edition—the bottles are numbered. And then the other one is still a premium spirit. It’s a local spirit that’s floral. So it’s a bit distinct, different from the others.”
A Taste for Education and Experience
Beyond the bottle, Entre Nous is about shared moments. Fortemps de Loneux has created two distinct workshop experiences: a gin tasting and a hands-on distillation class where guests craft their own custom gin.
“They select the ingredients, they learn about the process, and they leave with their own half-litre bottle. It’s their own recipe,” she explains.
She’s even added a mobile gin bar—a collapsible setup for events—strengthening her focus on building real-life connections around her brand. “My goal is really that people share something and not just buy the product in a supermarket.”
The Road to Expansion
Despite the successes, growth has not come without challenges. “I couldn’t export. Customs were not allowing it,” she says. Only recently did she secure the right to sell outside Luxembourg—a rarity among local distillers. “Now competitors are reaching out to ask how I did it.”
With domestic growth exceeding expectations, Fortemps de Loneux is now preparing for international expansion, targeting Belgium and France. “I’m a bit behind on my objective on exporting internationally, but I’m still on track with my initial financial projection,” she says. “I already thought I was hitting a ceiling in Luxembourg, but I was wrong about that. The market is still bigger than expected.”
To navigate entrepreneurship, she leans on mentorship. From university alumni programmes to local business mentoring, these relationships offer both practical advice and emotional support. “It’s really nice to have some insights, some guidance, because entrepreneurship can be a bit isolating at times, especially when you’re a solopreneur.”
A Changing Market, A Timeless Product
Is gin still trending? “I think we might be already on the downward curve for entry-level gin consumption,” she admits, though she’s optimistic about the premium segment. “We see an increase in premium or craft gin because people are more and more interested in the production process, the brand story.”
And that’s where Entre Nous thrives—with a focus on local sourcing, craftsmanship, and connection. “The good thing about gin is that it’s so easy to prepare. You don’t need much to enjoy a gin at home.”
From a modest basement in Differdange, Inès Fortemps de Loneux is building more than a brand—she’s creating a community, one bottle at a time.
Read more articles:
Astrobiome: Using Space To Transform Gut Health And Agriculture
