Join this webinar to explore the intricate techniques used to produce Rutherglen Muscat - Australia's specialty fortified wine.
Event details
Join Jen Pfeiffer and Stephen Chambers from the Victorian wine region of Rutherglen for an in-depth technical discussion and tasting of the world-famous Rutherglen Muscat.
You'll learn how the fortified wine is blended from new vintage and aged stocks dating back over 100 years, plus uncover it's export volumes, sales, and consumption intentions once bottled.
We'll also explore the region's climate, maturation processes, filling of barrels, aged stocks and Rutherglen's unique classification system.
If you're tasting along, we recommend the following Muscats:
- Stanton & Killeen Wines Classic Muscat
- Pfeiffer Wines Classic Muscat
- Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Old Vine (classic) Muscat
This session is bought to you by the Muscat of Rutherglen Committee, the Winemakers of Rutherglen, WSET School London and Wine Victoria.
Join us and meet two current custodians of the ‘MoR’ group, keeping this varietal in market and winning awards around the globe - just as their families have done so for over 160 years.
About the presenters
Stephen is the sixth generation winemaker of the legendary Chambers family that operates Rosewood Winery.
He started to help his father, Bill Chambers, from an early age whether it was in the cellar door, winery, vineyard or the farm. After studying Oenology at Adelaide University, he spent some time in the Barossa Valley, Bordeaux and Great Southern WA, gaining experience. Returning to Rutherglen in 2000, Stephen set about to maintain the high-quality fortified wines being produced, as well as improving the consistency of the table wine offerings.
Chambers Rosewood is one the oldest wineries of Rutherglen (est. 1858) with the fortified offering being some of the best in the world - their approachability and relaxed attitude makes a tasting experience a pleasure.
Stephen is the custodian for soleras dating back to the 1890s and is solidifying Chambers Rosewood’s place on the international stage as an award-winning producer of Muscat and Muscadelle (Topaque).
Jen Pfeiffer was only 4 years old when her parents bought the historic “Old Distillery” property in Rutherglen in 1984. Growing up in a winemaking family, Jen was exposed to wine culture from a very early age.
Thus, it would seem it was fate that Jen returned to the family business, but not before a brief stint at Melbourne University studying Science/Law. In fact, it was in 2000 that Jen decided to come home to “do the vintage and earn a bit of cash, then head off overseas”. Jen was given the responsibility of making the 2000 Pfeiffer Shiraz, and discovered she had an affinity with winemaking, and that she really enjoyed the work. Jen was rewarded with a gold medal for that first wine, and the rest is history, as they say.
Today, Jen loves her winemaking role as much as ever, appealing to both her scientific and creative mind.
Jen has amassed over 1,200 medals and 70 trophies for Pfeiffer Wines.