The Women of Picnic

By Liz Ahearn | March 30, 2021

Earlier this month we celebrated Women’s History Month with stories of some of our greatest heroes, but as we near the end of month we’d like to share the stories of some women a little closer to home.  Picnic Wine & Provisions is run and managed by some of the most inspiring and hardworking women we’ve ever met and we’d love to introduce them to you.

Kirsten

What is your hidden talent or fun fact you want to share? 

I snorkel in Lake Michigan.

What excites you about working at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

I absolutely LOVE meeting new people and learning about them.  Serving people makes me very happy.  I like to see smiles and cheeriness around me; and wine, cheese and a baguette make people HAPPY!  I am crazy about tasting all sorts of different wines and learning about their background and history, so working with the wine reps and tastings are the best!  Being able to combine this “hobby” with my professional music work is a dream!  And I also adore my colleagues – Liz, Sydney, Rose, Grayson and now sweet and level-headed Alana!  :-). I feel like we are a little family during this time of the pandemic, and I am so grateful.

What is your favorite wine and what is one you can recommend that we carry at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

This is extremely difficult.  I’d say the Greek Mega Onos or the bold Bulgarian Enira which we have on the gift table.

What day we can find you working at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

Thursdays and Fridays!  


Sydney

How long have you lived in Rogers Park?

I have lived in Rogers Park for five years. I absolutely adore this neighborhood, but life is taking me to Omaha, Nebraska at the end of the month.

What is your hidden talent or fun fact you want to share?

I studied Musical Theatre in college, but now I only perform  for my pets: Wally, Winnie, and Mango. They seem to enjoy it. 

What is your favorite wine and what is one you can recommend that we carry at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

My favorite wine changes quite frequently… Although I will always love a white Burgundy. I’m really excited about Marjan Simcic Pinot Grigio 2018. This is a Slovenian Pinot Grigio that’s aged on it’s lees so it is fuller bodied, and has this delicious richness to it. Super yummy.


Rose

What is your hidden talent or fun fact you want to share?

I hiked the whole Appalachian Trail! It took 5 months to finish, over 2000 miles of hiking.

What is your favorite wine and what is one you can recommend that we carry at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

My favorite wine producing nation is Italy, it was one of my first introductions to the world of wine- so I love our wines from San Silvestro. Barbera is still an undiscovered gem! I also love our ciders, especially the Aval.

What day we can find you working at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

I am working in the store on Saturdays.


Alana

What is your favorite wine and what is one you can recommend that we carry at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

My favorite type of wine is Cabernet Sauvignon. However, a good bubbly like the Belstar Prosecco we carry at P&P has been my new favorite.

What day we can find you working at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

I just recently started at P&P. You can catch me during our weekly wine tasting on Thursday. 

What excites you about working at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

I love learning about different wines and the regions they come from. Also, the lovely guests from the neighborhood that come in and purchase wine or sit for a tasting.


Liz at Picnic’s Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Liz

What is your hidden talent or fun fact you want to share?

I was on a 9 day bike trip in the Puglia Region in Italy 4 years ago when I had the epiphany to follow my dreams. At that time I was working way too many hours in Corporate Accounting and some big life moments happened while on that bike trip. I did a lot of soul searching while biking the coast and my priorities shifted. Travel, family and fully experiencing life were moved right to the top. Once home I walked by the for rent sign at our location on Sheridan and Chase and it all came together for me.

What is your favorite wine and what is one you can recommend that we carry at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

This is hard to answer as there are so many. I love Spanish, French, Italian, Oregon and New Zealand. My favorite wine at Picnic is our Protos Ribera del Duero and has been for going on a year now. Something about that wine just resonates within me.

What excites you about working at Picnic Wine & Provisions? 

100% the people. Our team is amazing and I think of them as family. We also have the best customers. I feel blessed!