Alexander Westgarth, Founder & President
ALEXANDER WESTGARTH
Founder & CEO
As Founder and CEO of Westgarth Wines, Hampstead-born Alexander Westgarth has combined a personal love for the vine with his nearly two decades of experience in the fine wine industry. A keen sportsman, Alexander represented England’s junior basketball team on the European Championship circuit before transitioning into the fine wine trade in 2001. He quickly established a reputation for savvy advice and developed a loyal international clientele. Years of consulting for other organizations followed, bringing him an exceptional network of industry contacts and prompting him to launch Westgarth Wines. The company rapidly became known as one of the most dynamic, tech-forward fine wine retailers, and has earned an impressive international presence within the premium wine marketplace.
In tandem with overseeing his company, Alexander is also a popular wine writer, blogger and guest expert on the talk circuit. Featured in multiple publications both in the U.S. and abroad, he is often tapped to share his insights on the fine and rare wine market. A first-class oenophile certified by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, Alexander resides in southern California.
Jackson Rohrbaugh, Head of Fine Wine
JACKSON ROHRBAUGH, MS
Head of Fine Wine
Growing up in one of America’s most prolific wine regions, Seattle-born Jackson Rohrbaugh’s future in wine may have been inevitable. One of only a select few worldwide to earn the title of Master Sommelier from the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers, he has also served as an instructor and mentor at the same. With a previous career in elite hospitality, he is currently the Head of Fine Wine at Westgarth Wines where he not only shares his vast wine expertise with the company’s client base but also aims to ensure consistently elevated wine experiences.
Prior to joining the team at Westgarth, Jackson enjoyed a decade-long tenure at the legendary, award-winning Canlis, Seattle’s most famous restaurant. Starting as a Server and Bartender, he worked his way up to Sommelier, taking on the selection of fine wines for private functions as well as facilitating staff education in sophisticated fine wine protocol. He was subsequently promoted to Assistant Wine Director where he curated one of the foremost restaurant wine lists in the world. The experience at Canlis was invaluable in preparing him for his current role at Westgarth where he identifies the finest wines on the market for the company’s extensive portfolio.
For Jackson, every wine has a story, which is why the University of Washington graduate is also a seasoned wine blogger and influencer. With his wife and two young children, he continues to reside in his beloved Seattle.
Summer Altice, Head of Cellar Curation
SUMMER ALTICE
Head of Cellar Curation
A native of Los Angeles, Summer Altice first gained exposure to the world of fine wine while pursuing a career as a model and actress. The exposure quickly developed into a passion, and that same passion led her to earning an Advanced Certificate passed with distinction from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. She previously took a degree in Marketing and Public Relations from San Diego State University where she played competitive volleyball and was named to the Academic All-WAC Team.
As the Head of Cellar Curation at Westgarth Wines, Summer brings years of experience managing multimillion dollar wine collections in the United States and Canada. Providing clients with a range of cellar services, her specializations include complex cataloguing of fine wine inventory, estate planning and product appraisals. She also advises clients on building or enhancing a cellar, and delivers expert recommendations regarding optimal drinking windows, wine pairings and private function planning. Due to her extensive knowledge and engaging manner, Summer is a highly sought-after wine host and presenter. Particularly proud of her home state’s evolving wine offerings, she is always happy to represent local producers on the food and wine festival circuit.
Summer Sun, Operations Manager
SUMMER SUN
Operations Manager
As the Operations Manager at Westgarth Wines, Summer Sun brings the company nearly a decade of experience in the fine wine industry. Her tenures in Operations and Marketing at some of the most prestigious wine merchants in Hong Kong – Asia’s fine wine capital – imparted a keen understanding of the vigorous Asian wine market and by extension, the global fine and rare wine landscape. Earning an undergraduate degree in Advertising from Wenzhou University and a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication from City University of Hong Kong, Summer’s contributions to Westgarth Wines revolve around ensuring operational, logistical and organizational continuity as well as communications outreach to both internal and external stakeholders.
Fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, Summer holds an Advanced Certificate passed with distinction from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. She and her husband currently reside in Vancouver, B.C., where she successfully balances her role at Westgarth with being a mother to two young children.