Coastal California > Industry Insights > Explore the Limitless Possibilities of Alternative White Wines with Tangent

Explore the Limitless Possibilities of Alternative White Wines with Tangent

Launched in 2006, Tangent focuses exclusively on vibrant alternative white wines. Made of grapes grown primarily in the Edna Valley, each wine presents lively acidity, minerality, and pure varietal character. A piece of the Niven Family Wine Estates portfolio, Tangent was created by cousins John Niven and Michael Blaney, along with veteran winemaker Christian Roguenant. Their third vintage has just been bottled, with the SIPTM Certified Sustainably Grown seal printed on most of the labels. The lineup includes albariño, viognier, riesling, pinot blanc, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, and a blend called Ecclestone, all bottled under screwcap.

Literally meaning “a departure from the ordinary,” the name Tangent is meant to convey the family’s commitment to white wines other than the mainstream chardonnay. Bottled entirely with screwcap closures, Tangent wines are meant to be enjoyed when young and fresh. Winemaker Christian Roguenant sees the screwcap as a true advantage. “The screwcap ensures retention of the bright aromatics and flavors I taste when we bottle the wine,” he says. “The person drinking it will get to enjoy that same refreshing experience. Plus, it is just plain easier to open!”

John and Michael’s grandparents, Jack and Catharine Niven, were among the first to plant wine grapes in the Edna Valley over 30 years ago. The family recognized the Edna Valley as having one of the longest growing seasons in California, culminating in fully ripe grapes with good acid structure each vintage. As they looked to the future, it was clear that the next, and then the third, generation would develop and grow the family business into the new millennium. John and Michael were given carte blanche to look at the portfolio with an eye for what could be missing. Their brainstorming brought about the cutting-edge Tangent concept.

The Niven family’s commitment to the success of this fresh project begins in the vineyard. “Tangent is an exciting and logical next step for us,” says John Niven. “Edna Valley provides the perfect conditions for growing these grapes, and the marketplace has proven itself to be more than ready for these wines. We already grew most of the Tangent varietals when we put this plan together, and have been continually adding more. In fact, we planted 50 acres of albariño, in 2007, which is currently the biggest albariño vineyard outside of Spain and Portugal, and have added a few acres of grenache blanc as well.”

Made to be enjoyed with food, Tangent occupies a rapidly growing niche of crisp, refreshing white wines. It is the first winery to dedicate its entire production to this category, and Roguenant is well-suited to making esoteric wines. “I learned to love wines made of grapes picked a bit earlier, with higher acids and lower sugar levels, while making Champagne in France and sparkling wines in California,” he says. “The varietally correct flavors in the grapes we harvest here remind me of those experiences, and lend themselves perfectly to this style. No oak contact is necessary, as my aim is to preserve the freshness of each wine and let the varietal speak for itself.”

Tangent’s website, www.tangentwines.com, is well-designed, crisp, and clean, just like the wines. It is not only easy to navigate, but is a virtual encyclopedia of alternative white varietals. They have taken an educational stance and afford consumers not only Tangent-specific information, but insights into the origin of each varietal, and how each evolved from old-world winemaking into the current realm.

The Tangent tasting room is housed in the historic Independence Schoolhouse, a one-room school built by local farm workers in 1909. Fully restored by the Nivens in 1998, it stands in the heart of the Edna Valley. Verandas expand on all sides, overlooking carefully manicured vineyards. Plan for a bit of extra time to linger, as it is a fabulous place to stop and relax. Inside, the Tangent wines are poured alongside sister brand Baileyana. The room is filled with self-indulgent gourmet foods, unique and interesting giftware, and carefully chosen clothing items. It all adds up to a wonderful tasting experience.

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