For this article, on wines that are priced under $50 that I would recommend, I went to my blog to see what I reviewed in 2025, and which my husband Eddie and I enjoyed. Hope some of the wines on this list make you thirsty!

From a tasting at Hitching Post in Santa Ynez
2024 Pinks, Dry Rose, $22: Notes of raspberry and a bit of bruised apple, this Rose of Pinot Noir was definitely a great start. 2024 Pinks Parté (a nod to a Party), Sparkling Rose, $26: Very tasty, tangy and refreshing. Both pinks we would purchase. 2021 Daisy Riesling, $29: A semi-dry Riesling – meaning not too sweet – with very nice fruit. Another we would purchase. 2017 White Dahlia, White Blend, $29: A blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, this wine was a lovely palate cleanser with its refreshing taste and good fruit.

From Alentejo, Portugal I reviewed a 2021 Revelado Red, $25.99
Dark purple color, with rich deep aromas of blue to black fruit, grilled mushroom, sweet milk chocolate and medium toasted oak and balanced flavors of blackberry, blueberry, mild spice, a round mouthfeel and medium length finish. Nice with and without food.

2023 Malvasia Bianca, Fallendown Tree Vineyards, Monterey County, $40
Greeted by the color of hay, then aromas that reminded me of fresh peach, apple, mandarin orange, orange blossom honey, and wet river rock. On the palate, I noted that the wine was zingy but not overly acidic, fresh, with a delicate and round mouthfeel, featuring some bruised apple notes followed by pineapple, and had a medium-length finish. We had tuna steaks that night, cooked in the sous vide and seasoned with lemon pepper, and the pairing was just perfect with the Malvasia Bianca.

Rombauer Vineyards, Napa Valley, $28-$42
What a treat to travel up into the hillside and be rewarded by grand views, and even grander to taste crowd-pleasing white wines made by Rombauer Vineyards. Most know their Chardonnay (bought 3 from Carneros, $42 each) but they also make a fine Sauvignon Blanc (bought 3 from Sonoma County $28 each).

Dry Creek Vineyards, Sonoma County
Reviewed and loved both their sparkling and still Chenin Blanc. The 2023 Sparkling Chenin Blanc méthode champenoise retails for $50 and the still 2024 dry Chenin Blanc retails for approximately $20.

More from Santa Barbara County: Toccata and Lucas and Lewellen
While in Solvang we had some time to visit a new-to-us tasting room, Toccata, for Italian varietals. They are the sister winery to Lucas and Lewellen, and it was a treat to try wines not at Lucas and Lewellen. (Also: if you buy a tasting at one you get half off at the other.) At Toccata we enjoyed a tasting of their “signature wines” list: 2020 Sangiovese had lovely light cherry notes, good fruit, body and finish, $34. 2022 Pinot Noir had a nice palate, notes of cherry, herbs, earth and light tannins, $32. 2021 Nebbiolo Barbera was Eddie’s pick for its good fruit and how the blend was better than the Nebbiolo alone, $34. 2020 Barbera was my favorite as I liked the sweet nose and the dark fruit flavors, tannins and balance, $34. 2020 Toccata Riserva was a hit for both of us. We enjoyed the blend of six different grape varietals, the oak aging, and that it delivered a big, gorgeous wine, $49.

After Toccata we crossed the street to visit Lucas and Lewellen, a winery we have liked for a long time. Here we went for The Reserve List as the wines were new vintages of some of our favorites: 2021 Cabernet Franc – Cab Franc is one of my preferences and not everyone can do it well, L and L did and I would compare it side by side with a Napa Cab Franc for sure. Maybe not as tannic, but definitely a solid wine, $42. 2021 Syrah was also spot on for us. Syrah is also a variety I really like, both our domestic and the Shiraz coming out of Australia, $36. 2021 Petite Sirah was dry, with bright red and dark fruit, light finish, $39. 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “Cote Del Sol” was really nice as well, we were striking gold so far with our tasting, $48.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. Follow on Instagram and Facebook

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