Eric Wentworth

MIXING DREAMS WITH DETERMINATION. Eric Wentworth’s passion for food and drink began in his childhood, nurtured in the small town of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Growing up gay in a conservative environment steeped in religion, Eric found solace and creativity in the kitchen, encouraged by his foodie parents. “Living with and overcoming the struggles of growing up gay in a small conservative town gave me tenacity,” Eric shares. “It made me comfortable with being uncomfortable, skills that have definitely made me a great entrepreneur today.”

Modica, the company Eric co-founded with JD Mitchell, is a testament to his journey. Modica is an award-winning line of cocktail and mocktail mixers, created by a mixologist using high-quality ingredients. The mission is clear: to provide a healthier, more inclusive drinking experience, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

After high school, Eric moved to Louisville to pursue his passion for food and beverage. “I moved to a bigger city, continued working through restaurants, and loved every moment,” he says. At 21, Eric found his calling behind the bar, discovering the joy of creating cocktails. “Creating recipes and playing with different flavors became a big creative outlet for me,” he recalls.

By 25, Eric started his first restaurant, transforming a former tire shop into a restaurant with a nightclub component. It was a challenging journey, especially fighting for a liquor license. “It was a big learning curve, but we persisted for years,” he says. The business, named The Hub, is now a thriving nightclub and one of Louisville’s hottest spots.

Eric’s next venture was a Champagne bar with his aunt and uncle. While the business remains open today, it was a difficult experience due to clashing values. “My aunt and uncle’s conservative views conflicted with my LGBTQ identity,” Eric shares. This event, however, didn’t deter him from pursuing his entrepreneurial dreams.

Modica was born out of Eric’s MBA program at the University of Louisville. Keen to unwind with a cocktail after long hours of studying, he and JD realized that the mixers available in stores were full of preservatives and sugar. “We wanted a better-tasting, healthier option,” Eric explains. They developed Modica, which quickly gained traction despite early challenges with trademarking and manufacturing. The pandemic delayed their launch, but they persisted, launching in November 2020. “It turned out to be a great time to launch a cocktail mixer,” Eric notes. “Everyone was at home drinking.”

A TASTE OF SUCCESS. Modica started with direct-to-consumer sales and has now expanded to statewide distribution in Kentucky and Ohio, with a presence in 25 states and around 275 doors. “Our LGBTQIA+ identity is baked into the company’s values and culture,” Eric says. Modica partners with queer organizations and is inclusive in its product offering. “You can mix it with alcohol or club soda for a mocktail, making it versatile. Queer spaces are the backbone of our community and a place for us all to come together. Modica helps to make those places even more inclusive.”

Looking ahead, Eric has ambitious plans for Modica. “My ultimate goal is for Modica to be a household brand,” he says. Modica was recently accepted into the SKU accelerator program, and Eric and JD are getting ready to raise their seed round. The goal is to gain national distribution and increase visibility. “Success isn’t just financial growth. It also means bringing inclusivity to queer and everyday spaces, making people feel comfortable whether they’re drinking or not.”