Fifty Vintages of Alkoomi — A Legacy Rooted in Frankland River

This year marks a milestone we’re deeply proud of — our 50th vintage.

Half a century since the first grapes were picked from our family’s vineyard in Frankland River, and 50 years of growing, crafting, and sharing wines that reflect the place we call home.

Where It All Began

In the early 1970s, when Alkoomi’s first vines were planted, Frankland River was little more than a whisper on the Australian wine map. The land was rugged and remote, the climate unpredictable, and the idea of building a vineyard here was bold — maybe even a little stubborn.

But Merv and Judy Lange believed in what this patch of earth could offer. They worked the soils by hand, watched the seasons closely, and trusted that the cool nights, long sunlight, and ironstone-rich ground would create something special.

Their instinct was right. The first vintage was small, but the wines told a story of place — pure, elegant, and distinctly Frankland River.

A Family Story, Fifty Harvests Later

Fifty vintages on, Alkoomi remains in family hands. The next generations have grown up among the rows of vines, learning from the land and from the quiet persistence of those who came before.

The world around us has changed — there are more machines, new techniques, and a little more grey in the hair of those who’ve been here since the early days. But the essence of what we do remains the same: patience, care, and respect for the fruit.

Each vintage carries a memory of the people who picked the grapes, the laughter shared in the sheds, and the moments when weather and willpower tested everyone’s resolve. It’s those small stories, often untold, that make the big milestones matter.

Rooted in Place

“Alkoomi” means “a place we chose” in the local Noongar language — and after fifty years, that choice still feels right.

Our connection to this land runs deep. The vines have weathered droughts and downpours, hot summers and cool nights, and still they give fruit that captures the quiet strength of this corner of Western Australia.

Frankland River isn’t just where we make wine; it’s part of who we are. The soil, the air, the sense of space — all of it finds its way into the glass.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate our 50th vintage, we’re as focused on the future as we are grateful for the past.

There’s a new generation of Alkoomi family members, winemakers, and locals continuing the story — blending tradition with innovation, and ensuring that Frankland River’s unique character continues to shine for decades to come.

We’re still a small, family-run winery. We still get our hands dirty. And we’re still guided by the same belief that started it all: that good wine begins with good land, and good people.

So, to everyone who has shared a glass of Alkoomi over the past fifty years — thank you. Whether you’ve visited our cellar doors, stocked your shelves, or poured one of our wines around your own table, you’ve been part of this story too.

Here’s to the next fifty vintages — and to the land, the family, and the community that made every one of them possible.