The Best Pinot Noirs Under $20

Clement & Florian Berthier L’Instant Pinot Noir – Loire Valley, France

Brothers Clement and Florian Berthier are fifth-generation Loire Valley winegrowers with experience in making Pinot Noir in Oregon as well as Burgundy. Now, the two produce delicious and affordable Pinot sourced from clay-limestone soils just south of Menetou-Salon in France. 

“[This bottle is] primarily Pinot Noir,” says Amanda Fladung, manager of Farm Bar Lakeview in Chicago. “A splash of Gamay adds a subtle spice that perfectly complements the rich fruitiness of the Pinot Noir.”

Cline Pinot Noir – North Coast, CA

“Cline Cellars is one of the first wineries you see driving into Sonoma,” says Josh Bolden, food and beverage director at Bambara, located at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City. “It’s a beautiful winery to visit and overall great value wine that is very food-friendly.” 

Cline produces a range of sustainably farmed reds and whites including its highly respected Ancient Vines Zinfandel, Carignane, and Mourvèdre. This under-$20 Pinot Noir is also a standout, especially given its remarkable consistency vintage after vintage.

Clos des Fous “Pour Ma Guele” Pinot Noir – Itata Valley, Chile

Pedro Parra is one of the world’s foremost soil specialists. Alongside three friends in 2008, he founded Clos de Fous with the goal of proving that Chilean wine could be exciting, lively, and balanced. Clos des Fous works with Pinot Noir, País, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. Its wines are produced with minimal intervention.

“[The 2022] is 88% Pinot Noir and 12% Cinsault from a single vineyard planted to granite soils in Viñedo Larqui,” says Jake Bennie, wine director at Sepia & Proxi in Chicago. “[The wine] is aged for a year in concrete, giving it a slightly broader, silky mouthfeel than if it were made in stainless steel. It shows ripe red cherry, crushed violets, dried baking spices, and graphite.”

Colterenzio Pinot Nero – Südtirol, Alto Adige, Italy

“Nestled in the foothills of the Alps in Alto Adige, this region is renowned for its white wines, but due to high-elevation vineyards, they produce a delicious Pinot Noir, aka Pinot Nero, serving as a crunchy wine with a ton of ripe red fruits,” says Kisong Mun, sommelier at Chicago’s The Dearborn.

A co-op of 26 winegrowers in 1960 has blossomed into a serious player in the region, now with more than 300 growers involved. This Pinot Nero is fermented in stainless steel and finished in a combination of concrete and huge oak casks.

Erath Pinot Noir – Yamhill County, OR

“Erath is distinguished by its excellent balance, featuring bright, ripe fruit complemented by subtle notes of earthiness and spice,” says Edgar Monsivais, director of Restaurant and Bar at The St. Regis San Francisco.

Dick Erath produced his first wine inside his garage in 1965. In the half-century since, his namesake winery has become a mainstay of Oregon fine wine. Its classic Pinot Noir is consistently delicious on release. The wine is kissed with just the right amount of French oak, but it’s never defined by it.

“Its soft tannin structure enhances its drinkability, while the harmonious interplay of acidity and fruit makes it an excellent pairing for a wide variety of dishes,” says Monsivais.

Eulalie Pinot Noir – Vin de France

“[This producer employs] very small production, sustainable farming methods, [and] neutral vat fermentation,” says Neil Ross, director of operations at Vernick Restaurants in Philadelphia.

Though labeled as a Vin de France, it’s produced in Languedoc-Roussillon from sustainably farmed fruit grown in limestone, clay, and stony soils. It’s a standout in the world of affordable French Pinot Noir.

“The wine comes from a vineyard that’s located on a remote hillside that the locals call l’enfer, French for ‘hell,’ because of the very rugged terrain and steep grade,” says Ross. “I don’t usually love warm-climate Pinot, but this wine manages to maintain its structure and elegance.”

Familia Schroeder Saurus Select Pinot Noir – Patagonia, Argentina

Patagonia has become a star in South American Pinot Noir circles, and Familia Schroeder’s Saurus Select is a delicious example of why. 

“Hailing from the northern part of Patagonia in Argentina, this wine benefits from warm, sunny days and cool desert nights, resulting in a rich yet well-balanced flavor profile,” says Mun.

This wine is crafted from hand-harvested grapes and aged for nine months in a combination of stainless steel and new French oak.

Foris Winery Pinot Noir – Rogue Valley, OR

“Foris Winery…produces Pinot Noir with a great deal of finesse. Their proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes the climate almost alpine in character and allows a long slow ripening, which adds complexity,” says Paul Botamer, advanced sommelier at The Ritz-Carlton’s Fearing’s Restaurant in Dallas.

Foris owner Ted Gerber, who began to grow grapes in 1974, didn’t start to make wine until 1986. Since then, he’s amassed 188 acres of vineyard spread out over four ranches. This allows him to express terroir in a multitude of ways.

“For a winery that has recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, they somehow manage to fly under the radar as one of the best value Pinot Noirs in the U.S.,” says Botamer.

Hahn Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Estate – Santa Lucia Highlands, CA

“As Santa Lucia Highlands [is] my backyard, this one is an easy choice, a great go-to,” says Colleen Kelly, director of food and beverage at Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley, California.

Hahn produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of authenticity, deliciousness, and affordability. This bottling is notable for its expressive fruit and textural complexity, a result of smart aging in French oak.

“It has a rich color and is very approachable with or without food. This wine is well above average for its price point,” says Kelly.

Inscription Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, OR

Produced by the highly regarded King Estate, Inscription is crafted from grapes purchased throughout Willamette Valley. Sorted by hand, the fermentation of each lot incorporates up to 20% whole clusters. French-oak aging lends texture and elegance. 

“Inscription Pinot Noir is a bright but well-balanced wine. Its fruity nose and lightly floral notes blend with an earthy finish and complement almost any dish, especially in the colder, cozier months,” says Mike Lam, head mixologist at New York City’s The Bar Downstairs & Kitchen.

Martin Ray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Sonoma, CA

This standout expresses the character of the Sonoma Coast through grapes purchased from vineyards around the appellation. Individual-lot fermentations allow the winemaking team to control every detail, and a final, one-year aging stint in 30% new French oak brings subtle complexity.

“It’s elegant and pretty in a way that’s hard to find in a Pinot Noir at that price point,” says Jon Macklem, sommelier and dining room manager at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, California.

Montinore Red Cap Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, OR

Montinore is synonymous with the benefits of biodynamic grape-growing, as this exceptionally detailed and affordable Pinot Noir demonstrates. As with all its wines, the land shines through. It’s kissed with oak, but not overwhelmed by it.

“The vineyard has embraced biodynamic viticulture since the 2000s, producing a wine that’s beautifully acid-driven, with vibrant flavors of strawberries and black cherries on the palate,” says Mun.

Sea Sun Pinot Noir – California

“This wine is a great representation of the coastal regions,” says Ryan Wolf, restaurant general manager at Vessel Restaurant + Bar at Kona Kai San Diego. “It is rich, nuanced, and provides an excellent value.”

Produced by the Wagner Family of Wines, also responsible for such names as Caymus and Mer Soleil, this bottle is crafted from fruit purchased from growers in coastal parts of California, which affords it liveliness and energy. 

Talbott “Kali Hart” Pinot Noir – Santa Lucia Highlands, CA

“As a chef and certified sommelier who recently moved from the Monterey Peninsula to the Valley, I truly appreciate the region as a fantastic place to grow Pinot Noir,” says McLean. 

“Prices from the Central Coast of California are generally quite reasonable, and for a bottle under $20, I would recommend the Talbott “Kali Hart” Pinot Noir.” 

Year after year, it’s one of the most reliably delicious bottlings of Pinot Noir in California. From the use of open-top fermenters to delicate punch downs, everything is leveraged to allow the excellent estate fruit to shine.

“This wine is estate-grown in a sandy, gravel-type soil with a strong marine climate to produce a wonderful-tasting Pinot,” says McLean. 

The Pinot Project Pinot Noir – California

“My suggestion would be The Pinot Project,” says Ryan Puckett, beverage director at Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown. “The whole goal of the production was to create a top-tier Pinot Noir that is really affordable.” 

Pinot Project wines can be purchased in either bottle or can, which makes them fairly unique. Its offerings have created waves among pros, especially this coastal-focused expression whose vibrancy is both lovely on its own and an excellent partner with food.

“It’s no-nonsense, has tons of flavor, and has a nice acidity that I appreciate in Pinots,” says Puckett. “It’s one of those wines that I’ll pick up for literally any occasion.”

Wente Vineyards Baily Hill Pinot Noir – Central Coast, CA

“We added the Wente Vineyards Baily Hill Pinot Noir to our wine list as soon as it was released, and it has been a huge success,” says Azure Cassidy, beverage director at High Tide Hospitality in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Wente is one of the classic names in California wine. Its family ownership dates to 1883, and their dedication to sustainably farmed grapes is deeply held. This bottling is a terrific example of what makes Wente so important, with a focus on freshness and a desire to let the coastal fruit to take center stage.

“The Wente Vineyards name is a trusted mark of quality,” says Cassidy. “People recognize it and know they’re getting a wine that delivers exceptional value. Baily Hill Pinot Noir is incredibly approachable, with fruit-forward notes and an easy drinkability that pairs beautifully with a wide range of our sustainable and Carolina-centric seafood dishes. It’s a true crowd-pleaser and a staple on our list.”