Getting the wine store person involved is a bit like getting th librarian involved on a research project...... huge dividends!

The wine ideas above though, some are on some are not.

Definitely have a look for Pomelo from Mason Cellars in CA.
It is one of few CA Sauv. Blancs that I find palatable. And at $10 a pop it is the single best deal I have seen in years. Pure SWP (Swimming Pool Wine) but summer approaches and if there are lighter style wine preferences there you will be hitting it perfectly.

The other white ideas like Australian are wonderful suggestions. Although I would add NZ Sauv. Blanc and Riesling for Cost Performance. Kim Crawford is widely available i the US and priced at where you want it to be.

I would even consider a few bottles of Mirabelle (pink and sparkling from Schramsberg. A definite crowd pleaser and will even appeal to wine snobs. And priced very right.

For reds, Pinot Noir from Sonoma is good. Not from Napa. If you want to get several various wines from a single producer (i.e. from their site) and have it shipped to you, I can highly recommend Cline Cellars. They have a Rhone Blend that will knock your socks off for the price. All of their stuff is priced where you want it and the Viognier from there is a winner.

Zin and Syrah are far harder to handle by the average and casual drinker so I would stay away from those. On the other hand a Cab. Sav. or a Merlot will be easy. I do like the initial suggestions of a Rhone Blend though. (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre..a.k.a. GSM)

My bets advice would be to go online to thewinestop.com, have a look at what they have to get a sense of prices, and then call them and have them do the choosing and the shipping. They know their stuff, have a wonderful selection and make a great resource for this and other wine needs.

Mike