About Alkimi
alkimi | al·che·my | / ˈal-kə-mē / (n)
Reviving overlooked grapes
Letting nature guide the wine
Hands-on, start to finish
Small batch, no shortcuts
Built for a changing climate
STUART DUDINE
The Winemaker
Stuart Dudine's winemaking is an alchemical process, where nature, intuition, and time transform grapes into liquid gold.
With 20 years of experience across Australia, France’s Rhône Valley, Austria, and Italy, Stuart has spent his career working at some of the world’s most respected estates— including Henschke, Yarra Yering, Mac Forbes, and cellars throughout Europe. Along the way, he’s been the quiet hand behind award-winning wines for other producers, shaping their reputations from behind the scenes.
He learned early that great wine isn’t made in the winery. It’s grown in the vineyard and guided with a light touch. A Top 50 Young Gun of Wine and trophy-winning winemaker, Stuart now farms his own Marsanne vineyard in Mount Evelyn while continuing to support other wineries as a trusted senior winemaker.
The Alkimi Story
Alkimi was born from a simple belief:
the best wines shouldn't follow a formula.
In 2014, winemaker Stuart Dudine founded Alkimi in the Yarra Valley with a mission that raised eyebrows: save grape varieties that were being pulled out and forgotten. Rhône varieties like Marsanne, Viognier, and Grenache were considered "the wrong grapes" for the region. Stuart saw something different: an opportunity.
These under-appreciated varieties weren't struggling because they couldn't thrive here. They were overlooked because they didn't fit the mold. Stuart knew that with the right approach, and a willingness to let nature lead, these grapes could create something extraordinary.
The name Alkimi comes from the phonetic spelling of alchemy, the ancient practice of transforming base materials into gold through a blend of science, philosophy, and mysticism. It's the perfect metaphor for what we do: turning overlooked grapes into something memorable.
The Alkimi style limits all winemaking techniques to "basic principles", where only traditional techniques are used to gently chaperone the grapes through their alchemical transformation into wine.
We want to make memorable wines, and for us the most memorable wines are the ones that show a distinct personality: personality of not just provenance and vintage, but also personality of the people who helped make them. Wine should always tell a story, from first glass to last sip, from one year to the next.
Winemaking shaped by nature, intuition, and time.
An alchemical process grapes transform into liquid gold.
Stuart’s approach to winemaking is calm, thoughtful, and hands-on. He works with the grapes as they are, letting nature, intuition, and time guide each decision. Nothing is rushed, nothing is over-worked, and nothing is added unless it genuinely needs to be. His focus is on making wines that feel honest wines that show the season, the vineyard, and a clear sense of personality.
Why Small Wineries Matter
Being small isn't a limitation. It's our advantage.
Big brands need consistency. They blend out personality to hit the same flavor profile year after year, vintage after vintage. We don't. Each of our wines is allowed to be itself: shaped by the season, the vineyard, and the decisions made in that exact moment.
Small scale means Stuart touches every part of the process. From pruning vines to hand-selecting harvest dates to tasting each barrel, nothing is automated or outsourced. This level of attention simply isn't possible at scale.
It also means we can take risks. We make wines from varieties that would never pass a corporate committee. We experiment with single-vineyard parcels. We bottle wines in tiny quantities because they're special, not because they're profitable.
Around 12 different wines each vintage. Some are one-offs. Some become annual favorites. All are made because they're interesting, not because they fit a marketing plan.
Wines for a Changing Climate
The future of wine depends on adaptability.
At Alkimi, we champion varieties that thrive as seasons shift, Rhône grapes that stay balanced, fresh, and vibrant as the climate warms. Each bottle is proof that sustainable choices can still taste extraordinary.
PHILOSOPHY
"Making wine is a fusion of Mother Nature and human emotion; it's something special. Confidence is required to believe in the process and I love to use intuition and my inspirations as a guide. I believe the best wines come from the heart."
– Stuart Dudine
About the ranges
Three different expressions of the Yarra ValleyUpper Yarra Valley Series
Winemaking
After working with some of the region’s most respected producers since 2012, this range reflects my understanding of the Upper Yarra — elegant, cool-climate wines with finesse. Think Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with more to come as the range grows.
Wine label
The artwork was created by Duncan McDade. Duncan is an animator and interactive designer based in Berlin, Germany. He created moving images of grapes, then specific frames were captured and transposed to the labels. This is his interpretation on what happens during the winemaking process; many layers coming together and moulding around each other,
Rhône Valley Range
Winemaking
Named after the strong, dry wind that sweeps through the Rhône Valley, this series focuses on the classic Rhône varieties I love working with — Marsanne, Grenache, Syrah and dry Rosé. These wines are expressive, textural and a little wild in spirit, much like the wind itself.
Wine label
The label artwork was created by abstract expressionist, Christopher Shelton. Stuart and Chris have shared many glasses of wine and day trips around Victoria talking about art, wine and labels. This original oil on canvas piece came from Chris' interpretation of a number of photos taken by Stuart.
Wild Dreams NaturalsZero Additions Range
Wine making
My space to experiment. These wines are made with no additions and minimal intervention — allowing the fruit to speak for itself. Fresh, playful and a little unexpected. It’s winemaking without the rulebook.
The Label ArtworksTo find out more about the artworks visit here
STU'S MISSION
