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, Kacie, and Mackenzie!

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 three kitties named Indiana, Jones, and Gus.

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 is an integral part of Meritage. She currently resides in Rhode Island with husband, Nick, and rescue dog, Ries (Riesling).

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. He also teaches wine education through his YouTube Channel called "Fill of Pinot". His other passions include international travel and rooting for his SDSU Aztecs. Lawrence resides in Sorrento Mesa with his wife Salomé, son Bastian, daughter Breeze, and rescue pup Fiji.

After growing up in San Diego, Kurt studied Cultural Anthropology at Loyola Marymount in LA. Upon graduating, he went abroad to teach and live in Taiwan. Then he became a Professor and Assistant Director in the College of Creative Studies at Kyungsung University in Busan, South Korea. In his free time, he likes to surf and listening to his favorite artist, Joe Dreamz.  Kurt has been drinking wine with Dustin Cano (his younger brother) since he came back from school in Spain in 2005. Kurt is eagerly waiting for his wife Jackie, son Kyle, and daughter Ellie to move out to San Diego this summer from Korea!

Cristina spent half her childhood in the Bay Area and then half outside of DC, getting to experience the best of both coasts.  She took off for college in Chicago and got a BFA in Sound Design and Audio Engineering from DePaul University.  She worked as a professional Sound Designer for 10 years before falling in love with wine.  After diving into the WSET and Society of Wine Educators, it wasn’t long before she packed up her car to move straight to Napa and had a couple of pins to show for all of her hard work and studies.  Seven years in the heart of wine country allowed her to taste some of the best wines being produced in California and manage high-end hospitality programs, private tasting events, wine clubs, and even work a harvest.  Now settled in San Diego, Cristina spends as much time near the ocean as possible, never turns down Champagne, and is currently taking votes on whether she should get a dog or a cat.

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