Get a mostly tiagra/some 105 equipped gravel bike for 1000-1100 particularly a year end one and build some nicer touring specific wheels for it. Mine is a Blue with full tiagra with FSA 48/32 chainrings running 11-34t cassette. There's probably some places that gearing won't work for me but it'll take me anyplace with a bikepacking load in NY. I immediately changed the wheels from a 28 spoke to a pair of 32h XT M8000 hubs with Velocity Dyads. The rear wheel has 13/14 single butted spokes and the front is regular 14/15 double butted for a really sturdy, go anywhere wheelset. With clearance pricing it kept it to around 1200. Not quite a real touring bike but I've toured Prince Edward Island with it and it was comfortable for 8hrs at a time and it can take panniers front and rear. Seems most of the brands have something like it now.