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10 Essential California Wines for $20 or Less
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  1. Home
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  3. 10 Essential California Wines for $20 or Less

10 Essential California Wines for $20 or Less

We tasted our way through cases of wine to find you these affordable California bottles that are perfect for every day.—Ray Isle

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Food & Wine
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 10 © Bogle Vineyards

2014 Bogle Petite Sirah ($11)


Bogle, a Petite Sirah specialist, has mastered the trick of expressing 
the variety’s intense blueberry fruit without making it dense or heavy.
 Buy from wine.com

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2 of 10 © Cline Cellars

2014 Cline Lodi Zinfandel ($11)

Cline’s wealth of old-vine plots throughout the Lodi region means they can sell this robust, spicy 
wine for far less than it deserves.
 Buy from wine.com

3 of 10 © Pine Ridge Vineyards

2015 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc 
+ Viognier ($13)


Year in and year out, this is one of California’s top white values. It 
tingles on the tongue, with vibrant mandarin orange and melon flavors.
 Buy from wine.com

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4 of 10 © Brander Wines

2016 Brander Los Olivos District Sauvignon Blanc ($16)


Most bargain Sauvignon offers in-your-face citrus flavor and 
little else. This one is flinty and savory, with a subtle lemon oil note.


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5 of 10 © Vina Robles

2015 Vina Robles White4 ($16)


An oddball blend of grapes (Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho and Vermentino) comes together in this exotically floral, spicy, melony white.


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6 of 10 © Varner Wine

2014 Foxglove Chardonnay ($17)


Mango and citrus fruit shade 
into stony notes in this terrific Chardonnay from Pinot Noir specialists Bob and Jim Varner.


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7 of 10 © Cameron Hughes Wine

2013 Cameron Hughes Lot 484 Napa Valley Meritage ($19)


If you want a Napa red that will fool guests into thinking it costs at least twice the price, this plush Merlot-Cabernet blend is one to seek out. 


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8 of 10 © Fossil Point Wines

2015 Fossil Point Pinot Noir ($17)


Cooling coastal winds in the Edna Valley help keep the black cherry flavors of this Pinot taut and lively; 
a hint of oaky spice adds complexity.
 Buy from wine.com

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9 of 10 © Cambria Wines

2014 Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Viognier ($20)


A white with the rich appeal of classic California Chardonnay, but without the buttery notes. Instead, it’s just lovely, straight-up peach-citrus fruit.


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10 of 10 © Calera Wine

2014 Calera Central Coast Chardonnay ($19)


Unbeatable for the price, this sleek quince-scented white, enriched 
by a faint brown-butter note, could pass for a good village Meursault.
 Buy from wine.com

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