A brief but blissful long weekend in Southern California made me break my summer fling with European wine and "drink local" instead. This trip gave me the chance to re-taste some of that state's most consumer friendly offerings and wines that are also available in Indiana.

Cannonball Sauvignon Blanc from Healdsburg, California was sampled while visiting Lake Arrowhead, a charming outdoor resort area in the mountains above Los Angeles. The alpine-inspired village made me feel like I was in Traverse City, Michigan. The wine list at the charming outdoor cafe reminded me I was in California. Cannonball is the perfect outdoor picnic kind of wine. Simple yet satisfying. More crisp than zingy. Tasty with a tuna salad sandwich and fresh fruit bowl. It's widely distributed and very affordable as it's an offshoot label of one of the biggest names in California wine.

Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc hails from Lake County, which sits right next to Sonoma County, so wines from this still up and coming region express many of the same qualities as Sonoma county wines, but at a rock bottom price. Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc offers up pink grapefruit and white peach in a light, refreshing style. It was easy to find in California but still relatively new in Indiana. I brought it in a few years ago when I still owned by wine shoppe downtown. I hope it's found a spot on other local wine shop shelves as it's a great introduction to the Sauvignon Blanc grape for those tired of heavy chardonnay and sweet pinot grigio yet not ready to go for the super zippy, tangy, acidic brilliance of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

I get back to the Ripple and am greeted by a sampling of wines from Sebastopol, California. Another charming Sonoma county town worth a visit if you head to wine country. Agave Garden wines are made from the nectar of the plant best known for its fermentation to create tequila and mezcal. This time the "honey water" is fermented like grape juice. Pure fruit juice is added and the result is a bottle best enjoyed chilled or used as a base for cocktails, sangria or punch. I sampled the cranberry. (Passion Fruit, Ginger, Tropical blends also available.) The cranberry had the red fruit aroma and currant flavor and a subtle sweet full finish. This could be a fun Thanksgiving wine.