Stuart Dudine settled in the Yarra Valley in 2012 after years of study and travel that took him from cellars here in Australia to wineries through Europe. The experience he gained on his journey sparked his love for Rhone varietals and formed his winemaking philosophy, based in ‘basic principals’ that aim to enhance the natural characteristics of wine with minimal intervention.
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In 2014, he established Alkimi Wines- a name derived from the phonetic spelling of alchemy -a word that Stuart feels encapsulates the ‘magic’ that it takes to create wine, a combination of science, nature, and intuition. He saw opportunity in the evolving climate to branch out from the typical Yarra Valley varietals and craft a range of wines that showcase his passion and enthusiasm for the Rhone Valley.
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At Alkimi, Stuart employs biological farming, minimal use of sulphur and embraces natural acidity and yeast to create wines that establish a sense of place and value for the quality and purity of the grapes from which they are produced. In doing so, he has created an elegant range that compares to Rhone wines in more ways than their varietal makeup.
SUSTAINABILITY.
Stuart takes a holistic approach that goes beyond good practices in the vineyard and winery. Alkimi is focused on attaining living soils by avoiding herbicides and the use of minimal systemic sprays. Stuart only uses basic, time-honoured principals that lead to wine that reflects the quality of the grapes used in production. Water use is considered as well as his choice of cleaning chemicals, power usage, and equipment. Where possible, everything is reused or recycled and he works to support his local community.