8 Thrilling California Sauvignon Blancs Under $20

This week’s selection shows off two impressive features of California’s Sauvignon Blancs: their ability to overdeliver on quality relative to price, and their knack for flourishing in diverse Golden State regions. With each priced under $20, you might consider stocking up on one or more of these aromatic, fresh and food-friendly wines.

Lucky Rock is an exciting new Sonoma label to keep an eye out for. Its sleek Cuvée bottling is memorable not only for its refreshing and tangy Key lime and melon flavors, but also for its eye-catching label, which resembles a tattoo of a snake wrapped around a pickaxe. It turns out that Lucky Rock’s founders, brothers Aaron and Jesse Inman, were raised by gold-prospecting parents. The Inmans named their label after one of the more memorable mines from their childhood, and built it around the concept of affordability.

The Arroyo Secco appellation has notched two spots this week. This AVA is in the middle of Monterey County’s Salinas Valley, and is known for its cool climate and long growing season. Its Sauvignon Blancs often take on tropical fruit notes. Winemaker Kristen Barnhisel emphasizes these by aging J. Lohr‘s Sauvignon Blanc in a mix of stainless steel and wood barrels, including new and used acacia barrels. This adds spicy aromatics and a richer texture to the wine’s Key lime, green apple and lemon flavors. Winemaker Dan Lee achieves a similar effect by aging Morgan‘s Sauvignon Blanc in mostly older French oak barrels, resulting in peach and tangerine flavors with hints of marmalade and orange sherbet on the finish.

Finally, Rickshaw offers tremendous value by blending its Sauvignon Blanc grapes from multiple regions and vineyards throughout California. At just $12, this distinctive white is intense and nuanced with flavors of lemongrass, Meyer lemon and green apple, finishing with hints of pineapple and pretty lemon blossom.