the best secret in California is that we buy wines from Trader Joe's at winter times (now). The local wine is very good and prices is insane. The critic says (if I recall correctly), the $2/bottle wine in Trader Joes' is not much different from the $20/bottle ones.
Dont quote me on the taste, since I dont drink alcohol. But I use the wine for cooking (red-wine marinated meat for BBQ is so good).