About Meritage Wine Market - Encinitas in Encinitas, CA 92024

Finding the right wine can be confusing or even intimidating – especially with so many choices available. After many years as enthusiasts, we saw a real need in the market for more than just another wine retailer. In 2002 Meritage Wine Market opened its doors and has since created a place where we could share our love and knowledge of wine, while turning people onto the right bottle for their taste, budget or occasion.

At Meritage Wine Market, we offer the best personal wine experience in San Diego County with the core belief that making great wine is a complex process, but choosing one shouldn’t be. We manage our customer’s needs with wine selections specifically chosen for their individual purpose and fulfilling the highest quality wine within budget.

Our intimacy in customer service ensures the right wine for each customer every time.

Dustin, a proud San Diegan, moved from Texas at the age of two. He arrived at Meritage in 2012 as the GM and co-purchased the store in 2018. Previously, he worked in Food & Beverage for several hotels globally. Dustin acquired a Diploma in Hospitality from Spain’s Les Roches Int’l School of Hotel Management. He also achieved a BS in Hospitality & Tourism and an MBA from Endicott College in Massachusetts. Dustin loves travel, sports and of course wine! He is our resident Vermouth and Bourbon aficionado. Dustin resides in Rancho Bernardo with his wife Katie, daughters Ainslee and Kacie, and dog named Ry!

Originally from Chicago, Dave is a veteran of some 26 years in the wine industry. After almost nine years working for one of the country's largest wine retailers, Dave moved to San Diego and spent five years at Meritage as wine buyer before jumping over to the wholesale distribution side of the industry. He was thrilled to fulfill a longtime dream by returning to Meritage in 2016 to join forces with his business partner Dustin to purchase Meritage Wine Market and start the next chapter.  He lives in Carlsbad with his wonderful fiancée Robin and two kitties named Gus and Toby. 

Originally from PA, Lyndsey began at Meritage in the fall of 2016. Dave & Dustin took a chance on the saucy military spouse, quickly realizing her aptitude for organizational tasks. She currently oversees the back office, maintaining the books while jamming out to Margaritaville Radio. While her palate has been compared to that of a yak, her tastes have broadened vastly since her early days. A lover of wiener dogs, flamingos, and all things Jimmy Buffett, Lyndsey has become an integral part of Meritage. She currently resides in Tampa Bay with husband, Nick, and rescue dog, Ries (Riesling).

Born in San Diego but raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Richard made his way back to Southern California over 15 years ago. Since graduating with a Bachelors in Wine Business from Sonoma State University, he has held multifaceted roles in the wine industry. From managing winery tasting rooms in Napa and Sonoma to wine bars in San Diego, and now ensuring that the clients of Meritage Wine Market get their nectar of the gods. Richard hangs his hat in North County San Diego with his son, Mason and his labradoodle, Zoey.

Born and raised in San Diego, Lawrence joins Meritage after working several years as a Cellar Master, making wines for 5 different wineries. He received his Certificate in Winemaking from UC Davis in 2017. He has also earned his Advanced Certification in Wine from WSET and is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators. Outside of fermented grapes, his other passions include international travel and rooting for his SDSU Aztecs and San Diego Padres. Lawrence resides in Sorrento Mesa with his wife Salomé, son Bastian, daughter Breeze, and two rescue pups Kia & Fiji.

Hailing from Kailua, Hawa’ii, Brian has been a purveyor of the “juice” for over 25 years.  A Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, he has worked as a store manager, wine specialist, buyer, consultant, and trainer.  He now lives in Encinitas with his wife Catey and when not contemplating the Zen of wine, can be found playing loud Rock and Roll at various local stages, taverns, and houses of Ill repute.

Born and raised in Georgia. Go Dawgs! Kaitlyn moved to Encinitas almost 2 years ago and started her wine journey shortly after. She is a Certified Sommelier pursuing her Advanced Sommelier certification. When Kaitlyn is not working or studying, she loves hiking all the mountains and hanging out with her 2 puppers, Willee and Boomer, and my husband Max.