WHO WE ARE
Own Rooted Hospitality was born out of a deep-seated desire to champion small-production, farming-conscious wines and support business owners who are taking on the challenges posed by large corporations in the industry.
With the landscape of the wine market changing rapidly, our Founder, Alex, felt compelled to provide even greater support to female and minority-owned wineries due to her strong advocacy for them in her previous roles.
Now, Own Rooted Hospitality is leveraging its buying power and years of experience to offer valuable sales strategy and training to small beverage brands while continuing to curate wine lists and beverage programs that showcase the incredible individuals behind these extraordinary beverages.
Our Team
Own Rooted Hospitality is a company that embodies the spirit of excellence, driven by a dedicated team of industry professionals. Their unwavering commitment to working with exceptional teams and promoting business sustainability through cutting-edge training programs, market research, and an abundance of care for their clients sets our offerings apart.
Alex Sarovich
FOUNDER & CEO
For many, the allure of working in hospitality often stems from early childhood memories of happy family gatherings around the dinner table. For Alexandria “Alex” Sarovich, who has four siblings and a shared Italian/Serbian heritage—this was precisely where her love for all things food and wine began. Alex is deeply dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences and connecting to enjoyment-seeking beverage drinkers through her educated yet approachable perspective. Her passion for her craft is evident, as she takes immense pride and joy in her work coupled with a strong focus on business success and ownership mentality. Outside of her professional duties, Alex remains committed to mentoring aspiring women in the wine industry through her involvement in the Bâtonnage Mentorship Program since 2022 and incorporating wellness and sustainability in all facets of life.
Alex’s outstanding contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her recognition as VinePair’s New Wave Sommelier of the Year in 2023.
Advanced Sommelier | alex@ownrootedhospitality.com
ALBUM IN ROTATION FOREVER:
Chris Stapelton, Traveller
FAVORITE WAY TO EXERCISE:
Rebecca Kennedy Peloton Run
GO-TO DINNER WINE:
Biodynamic Champagne or Cru Beaujolais
Alex is Featured In:
Julia La Rue
MARKETING CONSULTANT
Julia translates her passion for food and wine into effective social media and email marketing for small businesses in the hospitality industry. Her most notable work includes being on the opening team of Birdsong SF, a now 2 Michelin Star restaurant, and being the marketing manager for Marimar Estates Vineyard & Winery, boosting their website sales through her strategic email marketing and original social media posts. With over 6 years of experience in the hospitality industry, she now empowers small business owners to reclaim their time by managing their digital marketing initiatives.
BS Communications | info@ownrootedhospitality.com
ALBUM IN ROTATION FOREVER:
Surfaces - Golden
FAVORITE WAY TO EXERCISE:
A long hike in Marin (followed by tacos at hook fish :)
GO-TO DINNER WINE:
A nice crisp Chardonnay
Lenka Davis
WINE CONSULTANT
Born and raised in Slovakia, Lenka received a graduate degree in journalism and an undergraduate in business management. Simultaneously, she worked for Slovak Public Radio, covering fine arts, classical music and literature. After moving to the US at the age of 26, Lenka worked with a radio station in Tampa, FL, focusing on workers' rights, social justice and environmental coverage.
What initially started as a necessity to ensure income, hospitality sector, eventually led Lenka to wine. Since 2014, she has been working as a sommelier and a buyer, managing several wine lists mostly in Central Coast, where she buys classically styled, ethically farmed wines made with minimal intervention. She has been working with a range of wine programs, from simple by-the-glass lists to Wine Spectator Grand Award winnning list, while earning her Master of Wine credential. It has been a worthwhile and fascinating journey, which brought her closer to understanding the impact of viticulture on the surrounding ecosystem. She sits on the board of a local environmental foundation to support the confluence of wine and environmentalism.
SONG IN ROTATION FOREVER:
Bach’s Goldberg variations in Gould’s 1981 recording
FAVORITE WAY TO EXERCISE:
Yoga that gets my heart pumping
GO-TO DINNER WINE:
Loire Chenin to start and a Canary Islands red to finish
Rose Stark
WINERY OPS CONSULTANT
As a true enthusiast of hospitality, Rose has dedicated the past two decades to the art of outstanding customer service within the realms of restaurants, hotels, and wineries. At present, she is deeply engaged in working with several wineries in Sonoma County to ensure customer satisfaction and retention. Her role involves not only managing and revitalizing short-term rentals, but also cultivating wine clubs and overseeing the entire direct-to-consumer sales process. Having made beautiful Northern California her home, Rose takes great pleasure in curating unforgettable experiences for visitors, leaving them with a desire to extend their stay and return for future adventures in wine country.
SONG IN ROTATION FOREVER:
SPOON: Gimme Fiction
GO-TO DINNER WINE:
Austrian Riesling or a Sicilian Red
