T H E   T E A M

At Your Service

Erin Lamson - President
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Erin joined Adventures in Wine in 1999. During her tenure, she has worked in each critical company function, most recently as Import Manager - coordinating the proper handling, legal requirements, and transportation of the wine our clients purchase from anywhere in the world to their door. Since the passing of our founder Merrick Dowson, she has taken over the reigns as President and CEO of AIW, and purchased the company from his estate.

Erin's breadth of experience with the company and within the industry has positioned her as one of the most experienced importation professionals in the business. 

Ben Grandy - Warehouse Manager
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Ben originally worked as Warehouse Manager and Import Manager for Adventures in Wine from 1997 to 2004. After moving on and living abroad, he moved back to the Bay Area and contacted Merrick for a reference, and ended up rejoining the team in 2019. Despite his fifteen year absence, he retained his forklift skills and knowledge of wine imports and logistics, and picked up where he left off.

Jake Seno - Warehouse & Deliveries
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​Jake has been with Adventures in Wine since 2004. As our Delivery Driver and Warehouseman, he is the face of the company to many of our customers. Jake's commitment to customer service, accuracy, and a job well done is one of the many reasons our company has a stellar reputation.

Jake spends most of his days on the road delivering wine, and can also be found checking in the latest shipment of exciting and rare wines at our warehouse.

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Merrick J. Dowson, 1952 - 2020, Late Founder and President

Raised in England, Merrick sprang from a long line of wine merchants including his great-great-grandfather, Sir Walter Gilbey, who with his brother was at the center of the wine trade in England in the late 1800's.  

Merrick came to the US in the 70's to check out growing interest in California wine.  Although he came for a year, he stayed for a lifetime. Through hard work, valued friendship, and good business sense he went from an office manager to a salesman to owner of Adventures in Wine.

Merrick died from complications of COVID-19 on April 10, 2020.

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