Road bike with drop bars for mostly daily exercise and occasional short tours?

I'm looking for a bike to use primarily as an exercise bike, going ~25 miles a day on. My last bike was a trek 7.2fx hybrid. It was strapped to my car during a crash, and it wrapped around a tree.

The terrain where I am right now is pretty flat, but where I am in the summer will be more than likely fairly hilly, and I'd like the thing to be able to climb. Having a lowest gear ratio that'd make it a bit easier than usual would be a plus. It's got to have rear braze-ons for a rack, and drop bars. I'll use it for the occasional light tour. I doubt I'll need front racks. If it comes with a great wheelset, that'd be lovely. I don't need it to be light as a feather, but I will be group riding a few times a week. I'll be keeping this one for at least 5 years.

My budget is up to ~$750-800 dollars, if it's really worth it, but otherwise I'd like to spend somewhere in the area of ~$500.

Edit: I've been looking at Surly Cross-Checks and other similar cross bikes. What are your opinions on a cross bike with road wheels for my purposes?