The Grand Muscat is a wine best described as “multi-generational.” The base wine was started in the 1930’s by W.H. Chambers (3rd generation) and the solera has been nurtured since by W.B. Chambers (5th generation) for 50 years and S.D. Chambers (6th generation) for a measly 25 years. The “Grand” classification is reserved for wines that take the flavor of Rutherglen and Classic Muscats to a higher plane of development, displaying a new level of intensity, depth and concentration of flavor. It has mature rancio characters and a complexity just shy of that which is reserved for the “Rare” classification. The average age of the blends are 11-19 years.

Excluding the period from 2015 to 2022, all fruit was hand picked at a higher Baumé (16º+ preferred) and when the berries are fully ripe and mostly shriveled. The grapes were de-stemmed and sent to a stainless-steel tank. Depending upon rot pressure, the must was either inoculated with yeast or a wild ferment was allowed. Only a partial fermentation of the juice was undertaken (usually 2º to 3º Bé depending upon initial fruit ripeness) before the must was placed into the press for juice extraction. Fermenting juice was initially fortified to 16% alcohol to arrest the fermentation with neutral grape spirit (~ 96% alcohol). The resultant wine was then transferred to tank for settling prior to crossflow filtration. After that, the alcohol was adjusted to 18% and transferred into old, large casks for aging. The cask volume varied from 900L up to 5000L. Individual vintages and vineyards were kept as separate wines until blending. At this point, selected wines entered the “Grand” solera system, which is made up of two stages: one is a series of small barrels (quarter casks through to puncheons) and the other is an 1,800L cask from which the bottles are drawn. At bottling, the wine receives a small dosage of sulfur. No fining.