United States Wine between $25 and $50

Organic/Bio As usual, one taste and you'll think, Ah, so THIS is what Willamette Valley Pinot Gris is supposed to taste like! From an organically farmed vineyard south of Salem, it's fermented and aged 50/50 in stainless... Read More

As always, a benchmark interpretation of Virginia's most prominent red wine grape made in a rich but balanced and highly drinkable style. The 91 point review from JamesSuckling.com gives you a great idea of what to expect:... Read More

Vinous says this is “positively stellar” and we agree! From old vine sites like Bedrock, Lazy Dog, Monte Rosso and Montecillo, this pairs terrific concentration and fruit with outstanding energy and freshness. As Wine... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Ben Casteel just keeps cranking out great Chardonnay and Pinot from his family estate in the Eola Hills. As always, this is sleek and darkly fruited with just a touch more body/richness than usual. Delcious... Read More

Brian Marcy and Claire Carver make some of the most purely delicious wines in the Willamette Valley. This is a barrel selection from all 7 vineyards they work with, it’s a true portrait of the outstanding 2023 harvest. Whole... Read More

There aren’t a lot of “great” California Pinot Noirs at this price point; this is one of them. From a vineyard at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains first planted in 1910 and then replanted with cuttings from... Read More

Wine Enthusiast captures the fun and tasty personality of this barrel-aged, Oregon, Chardonnay nicely in the 90 point review: “The aromatic set of lemon, lime and lychee is a tropical Chardonnay paradise. A wisp of plumeria... Read More

Lower ABV Off and on through the early 20th century, Gamay grew in the Cote d’Or alongside Pinot Noir, so it’s not surprising it can shine in Bjornson’s estate vineyard next to Pinot in the Willamette Valley.... Read More

Just a delightful, ready to love, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from a blend of Estate and Van Duzer Vyd fruit. The dark raspberry and red cherry fruit are delicious and fun and buoyed by a lift of red berry acidity and fine, light,... Read More

Eruption is both the wine name and a warning of what to expect - because this bold, rich, blend of Malbec, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah truly erupts with flavor! As the winery writes of the Volcano Ridge Vyd, It only makes... Read More

Natural winemaker Chris Brockway and importer Tim Elenteny created Brea to bring low-intervention winemaking to traditional Cabernet grapes, making something authentic (but not weird!). They crush it with this Cabernet from a... Read More

Brick & Mortar is really a California sparkling house, meaning they grow a lot of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. When Pinot gets a bit too ripe for fizz, it’s perfect for elegant, pure, juicy still wines like this... Read More

Winemaker Neil Koch has worked with superstar Philippe Melka at benchmark Napa Cab houses like Seavey Vineyards, Bryant Family and Vineyard 29 and helped make the bold whites and Chardonnays of Lewis Cellars as assistant winemaker... Read More

Locally founded and crafted in small batches by Peter Pastan and Kat Hamidi, the vermouth is striking. It starts with a burst of cranberry and orange zest and is quickly followed by an exotic spicy bouquet. It masterfully combines... Read More

We're not sure why you'd start a Willamette Valley winery to make wines in the style of Friuli, Italy. But it works! This is a classic Friuli skin contact-style Friuli Pinot Blanc with crisp white orchard fruit, a steely/minerally... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV A great example of a quality Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity region when put in the hands of iconic winemaker Steve Doerner, pioneer of whole cluster ferments in Oregon. Cristom Vineyards predominately works... Read More

The winery says, “We like to say our approach to Cabernet Franc is more Burgundy than Bordeaux, meaning we look for silky rather than tannic structure and favor the aromatic potential of the grape over the flavor of the... Read More

There's a wonderful richness on the nose and palate here along with loads of nicely ripe cherry/berry fruit. But spend a little time and Pinot's earthier side joines the party, too, with notes of cola, rose petal and sweet... Read More

Hanzell is one of the few wineries that both helped drive the creation and fame of the California wine industry and that still turns out great wines today. It was founded in 1954 by Ambassador James D. Zellerbach to make wines... Read More

Hartford Court is easily one of the top “traditional” California Chard houses working today in the <$100 price point and this “village” bottling shows off their skill and ethic to a “T”.... Read More

Lower ABV One critic called this “easy-going” and another “no-frills yet easy-to-like” which nicely sums up this blend of fruit from Dundee Hills and neighboring sites. Wine Spectator’s 92 point review... Read More

Excellent value in right down the middle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The whole valley is represented here, with fruit from Cascade Foothills, Corvallis, Carlton, Amity and Laurelwood, all aged in old oak. Shows more fresh, crisp,... Read More

A collaboration between Master Sommelier Sara Floyd and the Pisoni Family, gives a nicely ripe and stylish Napa Cab that will shine at table. Plenty of concentration black cherry/berry fruit, and touches of clove, vanilla and... Read More

Doug Margerum's flagship wine is a stunner in 2023! The 5 is for the Rhone grapes in the blend: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Counoise. The Vinous 94 point rave sums it up nicely: The 2023 Red Blend M5 is... Read More

Lower ABV Steve and Jill Klein Matthiasson make elegant, restrained, wines that still let you know they're from California. Like here in vibrant, generously ripe, Chardonnay from just outside Oak Knoll in Napa. Done in old... Read More