Our Team

Having trained under James Beard nominees and winners on both coasts, Justin’s technique and understanding yield plates that are thoughtful and current. But equally important as his training are the places Justin was raised – the mountains of western Pennsylvania, the Midwestern plains, the North Carolina piedmont and the lowcountry of South Carolina. The marriage of his training and his upbringing results in a style that is accessible yet complex, comforting yet upscale. Above all, Justin’s approach is to leave every diner feeling as though they are fed in a way that conjures excitement, passion or a memory… to connect to their meal. Because, as it’s been said “one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

Shawn Paul is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds certification in Advanced Blind Tasting from the American Sommelier Society. A native of central Maine, Shawn studied Classics, Philosophy and French at Clark University in Worcester, MA and spent an academic year in Dijon, France. Shawn has more than 15 years of experience in Food & Beverage management, with nearly 10 as a professional sommelier and beverage director in New York City at Michelin starred restaurants. Prior to leaving New York for North Carolina, Shawn worked as an Associate Specialist in the wine department of the international auction house Christie's.

In North Carolina Shawn has worked as the Wine Buyer and Wine Room Manager for Dean & Deluca and later General Manager and Beverage Director at Corkbuzz by Master Sommelier Laura Maniec. With Foxcroft Wine Co. Shawn works as Wine Operations Director where he oversees purchasing, education and professional development. Shawn lives in Matthews, NC with his wife Heather and sons Oliver and Emmett.

Liz Saintsing, was born and raised just outside of Winston-Salem and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in printmaking from Guilford College in Greensboro.  Shortly after graduating, Liz bought a one-way ticket to San Francisco to pursue her dream of making art in an eclectic, progressive environment among some of the most creative artists in the country.

Early in her seven-year tenure in California while establishing herself as an artist, Liz started working at Rose Pistola, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. There she was introduced to wine through a passionate wine director, who taught her how to make wine something that was accessible and fun.

She’s been involved with wine ever since. For the past two decades, Liz has made a career out of distributing wine across regions and serving and presenting wine in restaurant settings. Liz first came to Foxcroft Wine Co. in 2013 as a server, and then returned to the company in 2017. She is now the General Manager of Foxcroft’s Dilworth location.

When she is not at the shop, she can be found antiquing, doing various home projects with the help of her very patient father, walking her dog Foxy, traveling, and printmaking for private clients like the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and the Levine Cancer Center in Charlotte.

Erin is one of those rare Charlotte natives, growing up in Waxhaw, NC.  She attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and loves Tarheel basketball too much…sorry Duke fans.  Her philosophy on how people stumble into wine comes from three notions—one you were born into the industry, you had an “ahhh haa” moment with a bottle of wine that hit you unexpectedly, or as in her case you found someone that was so passionate about wine and knowledge that you get sucked into wanting to learn more.

Erin’s passion for wine started while in grad school studying Arts Administration in Savannah, GA.  While at SCAD, she worked full time at the Old Pink House and was introduced to a passionate beverage director who was working towards getting his Sommelier certificate.  His ability to make wine more approachable and fun was contagious.  After moving to New York to work at an art gallery, she still found her way in the food and beverage industry.  With every job, her interest grew more and more.

After a 10 year span of living away, Erin moved back to Charlotte and found herself drinking and enjoying wine at Foxcroft Wine Co. Finally, after spending much time drinking great wine, she asked for a job.  They said no…(kidding).

Kristy Strasswimmer is the Baker at Foxcroft Wine Co. and joined the crew in 2018. She bakes all the breads fresh daily, from hamburger buns and donuts to lavash and flatbreads, for both Southpark and Dilworth locations. Kristy graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, right here in Charlotte. Her passion for baking stems from wanting to bring people joy through making delicious food. Whether guests come in for a special occasion or a casual evening out, Kristy pays attention to detail in the kitchen and wants to help give them an experience where they can unwind and enjoy a pleasurable meal.