A love for people and passion for spirits has served as the driving force behind Derrick C. Westbrook’s journey into the wine industry.
Before turning 30, Westbrook became the Cellar Manager of Alinea Group’s NEXT restaurant, and the Beverage Director of the Michelin-starred, Elizabeth restaurant in Chicago. The sommelier was later recognized for his professional contributions by Wine Enthusiast magazine as a 40 Under 40 Tastemaker, becoming the first African-American in the wine industry to grace the publication’s cover.
Today, Westbrook continues to break barriers in the wine industry while bridging the gap between spirits and culture, through curated dinners and experiential wine tastings. His signature event series, Samples & Samples pairs select wines with music from various genres, creating a unique, sensory experience for attendees. Westbrook has toured nationally, bringing Samples & Samples to City Winery locations across the U.S. with multiple sold-out shows. Westbrook has also hosted private events for major brands and corporations, including a fragrance and wine pairing for Chanel, and a custom Samples & Samples experience for Hilton with critically acclaimed musician Sharon Van Etten. In an effort to combat the lack of diversity in the wine industry, he shared his story at Twitter’s “Many Shades of Wine” panel event in New York.
Westbrook has traveled around the globe to learn alongside international growers while sharing his wine expertise with others, visiting regions across France, Spain, and Portugal. He has been featured in numerous digital and print publications including Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, and New York Times. Additionally, Westbrook has made television appearances on ABC 7’s Heart & Soul, WGN’s Midday News, WCIU’s The Jam, and NBC 4’s Today in Nashville.
While home in Chicago, Westbrook develops beverage programs for some of the city’s top restaurants and bars. When he’s not somewhere sampling wine, Westbrook coaches the Near West Side Little League Champions, The Greys, in Chicago.
