In this Wine & Cheese Edition of the Wyzendale Weekly Wrap-up, we connect with Derrick Westbrook, sommelier and owner of 1340 Beer, Wine, & Spirits in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Derrick gives tips for how to successfully build a wine list and dives into his signature event series Samples & Samples, which pairs wine tasting with music to create unique and sensory experiences. We also discuss Derrick’s commitment to breaking down barriers that currently exist in the industry and how he is working to accomplish this.

Derrick was recognized for his professional contributions to the wine and beverage industry by being named a 40 Under 40 Tastemaker by Wine Enthusiast. He also became the first African-American in the wine industry to grace the publication’s cover.