L'Ecole No. 41 was the third winery to open in Walla Walla Valley in Washington State. The winery, housed in the historic Frenchtown School, remains one of the state's most important - for its history, its vineyards, its forward thinking owners and most of all, its wines. A family owned business, L'Ecole No 41 was founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson. Today it is owned and operated by their daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Martin Clubb. The winery maintains its original focus on Merlot and Semillon and also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. The estate fruit is grown at the acclaimed Seven Hills Vineyard, co-owned with Leonetti Cellar and Pepper Bridge Winery. Established relationships with proven Columbia Valley vineyards such as Klipsun, Bacchus, Dionysus, Milbrandt, Portteus, Fair Acre Farms, Wahluke Slope Vineyards and Willard Farms provide the rest of the fruit. Many of these vineyards were planted in the 1970's or early 1980's. The Semillon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are all barrel aged. A recently built concrete tilt barrel storage facility accommodates inventory of over 2,000 French and American oak barrels. Wine & Spirits named L'Ecole No. 41 Winery of the Year in its 2010 Annual Buying Guide. L'Ecole has received this honor eight consecutive times, placing them in Wine & Spirits Hall of Fame.

Technical notes

(83% Semillon/17% Sauvignon Blanc). A blend from several premium vineyards – Rosebud, Klipsun, Seven Hills Vineyard and Les Collines Vineyard. The fruit was lightly whole cluster pressed to tank and allowed to settle. Racked off the solids into mostly neutral French oak, then barrel fermented. 50% of the wine was aged on the lees for several months.