Lani Wines
2022
Marlborough Gewürztraminer, Lani
View details →£18.20
The SommPills Cellar
Lani Wines
1 wine on the Lani Wines shelf, chosen one at a time.
£5per bottle£200+
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Lani Wines
1 wines on the shelf
Lani Wines is the solo venture of winemaker Alana McGettigan, based in Marlborough, New Zealand. What sets her apart is a rare focus on Gewürztraminer—a delicate, fickle grape variety that Marlborough producers typically avoid in favour of Sauvignon Blanc. Alana sources fruit from her aunt and uncle's small vineyard, where clay-heavy soil beside the Opawa River supports vines aged between 15 and 20 years. The result is a wine with genuine aromatic intensity and bone-dry balance, built for serious food pairing rather than casual sipping.
About Lani Wines
Alana McGettigan has spent over two decades making wine across Italy, France, and New Zealand. That international experience directly shapes her winemaking philosophy: she draws inspiration from the lively, aromatic, food-friendly wines of Northern Italy and France—regions where Gewürztraminer thrives. When she encountered her aunt and uncle's quality Gewürztraminer parcels in Marlborough, the project was a natural fit.
Growing Gewürztraminer in Marlborough demands precision. Each vintage, the team manages yields carefully to strike the right balance between flavour development and sugar ripeness. The vineyard sits on a plain with reasonably heavy soil and clay deposits, planted with Vertical Shoot Positioning to optimize canopy management. Most vines are dry-farmed, which concentrates flavour compounds in the fruit.
Winemaking is equally meticulous. Upon arrival at the winery, fruit is de-stemmed before being chilled in the press. A six-hour cooling period draws out delicate phenolics from the skins, introducing texture and weight to a white wine that might otherwise feel thin. The free-run juice is then separated and split between two fermentation paths: 90% ferments with selected yeasts in stainless steel for precision and clarity; the remaining 10% uses wild yeasts within aged oak vessels, which layers in subtle complexity. This controlled blending approach ensures the wine retains aromatic purity while gaining the structure needed for bold food pairings. The result drinks with remarkable restraint—displaying the characteristic scents of candied ginger and Turkish delight, underpinned by crystallised spice notes, all balanced by a weighty, dry palate.
Lani Wines Wines in Our Collection
Lani Wines produces one focused offering: the 2022 Marlborough Gewürztraminer. This is the wine to buy if you want a departure from ubiquitous Sauvignon Blanc, or if you're seeking a white wine with genuine texture and structure rather than pure brightness. The 2022 vintage benefited from significant winter rainfall followed by a warm, dry summer and cool February conditions—a combination that allowed the grapes to achieve full aromatic ripeness without excessive sugar. The wine suits the diner who wants real complexity: it works as an aperitif paired with spiced or aromatic dishes, alongside Asian cuisine, or with rich seafood preparations where its bone-dry finish cuts through richness. This is not a casual wine, but a considered choice for the cook who thinks seriously about what goes in the glass.
Food Pairing
Lani Gewürztraminer's aromatic intensity and bone-dry palate demand imaginative food partners. Pair it with Southeast Asian dishes featuring ginger, turmeric, or cardamom. Turkish or Middle Eastern spiced meat and vegetable preparations amplify the wine's candied spice character. It works brilliantly with smoked fish, prawn curries, duck confit, and rich cheeses such as aged Gruyère or Comté. The wine's weighty texture prevents it being overpowered by bold, savoury cooking.
Who is Alana McGettigan and what is her winemaking background?
Alana McGettigan is the founder of Lani Wines. Since 2002, she has made wine in Italy, France, and New Zealand, drawing inspiration from Northern Italian and French aromatic, food-friendly styles.
Why does Lani Wines focus on Gewürztraminer?
Gewürztraminer is rare in Marlborough, where Sauvignon Blanc dominates. Alana's family vineyard grows quality parcels of this fickle variety. Her European experience with the grape's food-pairing potential made it a natural choice.
How does the winemaking process affect the final flavour?
Fruit is de-stemmed and cold-pressed for six hours to extract delicate phenolics. 90% ferments in stainless steel with selected yeasts; 10% in aged barrels with indigenous yeasts. This creates aromatic intensity with added textural complexity.
Who makes Lani Wines?
Lani Wines is the solo venture of winemaker Alana McGettigan, based in Marlborough, New Zealand. She sources fruit from her aunt and uncle's small vineyard and brings over two decades of winemaking experience from Italy, France, and New Zealand.
What style of wine does Lani Wines make?
Lani makes Gewürztraminer—an aromatic white wine rarely grown in Marlborough. The style is bone-dry with genuine texture and structure, displaying candied ginger and Turkish delight notes, designed for serious food pairing rather than casual sipping.
How much does Lani Wines wine cost?
Lani Wines costs £17.55 for the 2022 Marlborough Gewürztraminer. It's a focused, single-wine offering, making it straightforward to try their approach.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.