SHE SWAPPED CORPORATE LIFE IN LUXEMBOURG FOR WINE AND A LITTLE CHAOS IN WRZESZCZ. WE MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND WINOŚĆ TO TALK BIG RISKS, WORKING WITH HER HUSBAND AND WHY GOOD WINE NEEDS NO SPECIAL OCCASION.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST BULLSHIT MYTH ABOUT WINE?
That good wine needs a special occasion! Why save your favourite bottle for a birthday? Open something lovely on an ordinary Tuesday. Life’s too short.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevYOU LEFT LUXEMBOURG’S CORPORATE WORLD TO OPEN WINOŚĆ. MADNESS OR MASTERPLAN?
A romantic escape mixed with a fairly irrational decision! My dad thought I’d gone completely mad. Sometimes you just have to stop planning and take the risk.
WORKING WITH YOUR HUSBAND. WHO’S THE BOSS?
Me! I run Winość, but the kitchen belongs to Yuri. If a dish takes longer, it takes longer. We’ve learned to trust each other, otherwise we’d never survive dinner together!
WHAT DO YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT WINE?
Perfect! You don’t need knowledge to enjoy wine. Taste it, discover what you like and stop pretending it’s a competition. Forget fancy grape names. Would you order another glass?
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevWHAT’S SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WINOŚĆ?
Our regulars. We know their names, favourite wines and sometimes their weekly routines. New employees are always amazed by how lovely our guests are.
ONE DISH, ONE WINE. GO! Yuri’s grilled cuttlefish with chorizo and sun-dried tomatoes, paired with white Rioja. The smoky flavours and rounded wine work beautifully together.
WHAT WOULD YOU FIGHT TO PRESERVE IN WRZESZCZ?
The little old shops! Across the street is a wonderful traditional pastry shop where I buy egg sandwiches. We recently lost a brilliant hardware shop. These places give neighbourhoods their soul.
WHAT HAS WINE TAUGHT YOU ABOUT PEOPLE?
People often become nicer after a glass! They arrive stressed, then relax, smile and start talking. Sometimes all we need is good food, wine and unhurried conversation.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevFINAL ONE. WHEN DID YOU REALISE WINOŚĆ WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL?
When regulars started bringing their parents, friends and celebrating birthdays here. When I thank them, they simply say, “Of course.” That’s when I know Winość has become their place.
By the end of our chat, it was easy to see why Alicja’s regulars keep coming back, often bringing friends and family with them. There’s something wonderfully unpretentious about her approach to wine, food and life in Wrzeszcz. And she’s right about one thing: why wait for a special occasion to open a good bottle? Although after a few glasses at Winość, remembering what day it is might become the bigger challenge.