{"id":40,"name":"L’Ecole Nº 41 Heritage Wine Bar","image_url":"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipPFot3bPIFAkxIYcFSef8rV76SIgMAKKXsL3shp=w408-h611-k-no","district":"Downtown","hours":"Wed-Mon 12 pm - 7pm","hours_type":"limited","dog_friendly":false,"red_wine":true,"white_wine":true,"bubbles":false,"brewery":false,"woman_owned":false,"year_established":1983,"winemaker":"David Rosenthal","website":"http://www.lecole.com/","phone":"(509) 676-3777","address":"6 W Rose St #103, Walla Walla, WA 99362","description":"On the corner in downtown, Lecole crafts elegant, expressive wines that reflect generations of family winemaking.","lat":46.0675973,"lng":-118.3403034,"appt_url":"https://www.exploretock.com/heritagebylecole","walk_in":false,"tasting_fee":null,"explorer_tags":[],"profile":"# L'Ecole Nº 41 — Winery Knowledge Profile\n\n## Founding Story\n\nL'Ecole Nº 41 was founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson, making it the third winery established in the Walla Walla Valley, predating the region's official AVA designation. What began as a retirement project was driven by a conviction that Washington State could produce world-class wine capable of rivaling the finest Old World expressions. The winery is housed in a historic Frenchtown schoolhouse, which is depicted on its label and serves as an enduring symbol of the estate's deep regional roots.\n\nThe Ferguson family legacy in the Walla Walla Valley stretches back more than 150 years, tracing to Dorsey Syng Baker, Baker Ferguson's great-grandfather. Dorsey Baker founded Baker Boyer Bank — the first bank in the Pacific Northwest — built the region's first railroad, and donated land that became Whitman College. This heritage of entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and long-term community investment established the values that continue to guide the winery today.\n\nThe winery's first vintage, a 1983 Merlot, earned the only Gold Medal awarded by the Pacific Northwest Enological Society in 1986, establishing an early quality benchmark. In 1989, Baker and Jean's daughter, Megan Ferguson Clubb, and her husband, Marty Clubb, assumed leadership, transforming the operation from a small family project into one of the most prominent wineries in the Pacific Northwest. Today, the winery is in its third generation of family ownership, with Riley and Rebecca Clubb actively involved as co-owners, Melissa Clubb serving as Brand Manager, and young Malakai Clubb working part-time in the tasting room — while a fourth generation is beginning to emerge.\n\n---\n\n## Winemaking Team\n\n**Note on database entry:** The winemaker listed in the database as Marcus Rafanelli does not appear in any scraped content from the L'Ecole Nº 41 website. The winemaking leadership identified on the winery's own website is as follows:\n\n**Marty Clubb — Co-owner & Managing Winemaker** took over the winery from his in-laws in 1989. His primary focus today is a hands-on approach to viticulture, personally collaborating with more than 30 vineyards across the Columbia Valley to manage contracted blocks to the winery's quality standards. He is a Managing Partner in Seven Hills Vineyard and the SeVein vineyard development, which is home to the estate's Ferguson Vineyard. Marty has served nearly 30 years on various wine industry boards, helped found the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance (serving as its first President), and worked with pioneers to establish the Walla Walla Community College Center for Enology and Viticulture.\n\n**David Rosenthal — Director of Winemaking** leads all vineyard and winemaking activities in collaboration with Marty Clubb and COO Ryan Pennington. Rosenthal worked his first harvest in Napa Valley in 2001 and was immediately drawn to winemaking. He subsequently moved to Washington to join Chateau Ste. Michelle, where he rose to the position of Head White Winemaker, building an extensive record of high-scoring wines. He has also worked with leading wineries in Australia, New Zealand, and Oregon. Rosenthal is a board member of the Washington Wine Technical Group and a frequent WSET instructor.\n\nSupporting the winemaking team are **Tyler Morrison** (Assistant Winemaker), a Walla Walla native and WWCC Enology and Viticulture graduate (2018); **Collin DeLong** (Associate Winemaker), a WWCC graduate (2020) with prior experience in the Lake Chelan AVA; and **Kyle Pritchard** (Cellarmaster), the first graduate of WWCC's Cellarmaster program (2019), who brings a background in professional kitchens and a precision-driven technical approach to the cellar.\n\nThe winery's **winemaking philosophy** centers on balance, finesse, and purity of fruit — employing careful extraction and restrained oak use to preserve and express vineyard character. The resulting wines are described as ultra-premium and known for structure, natural acidity, and exceptional aging potential.\n\n---\n\n## Vineyard Sources\n\nThe backbone of L'Ecole Nº 41's production is its two estate vineyards, both located in the Walla Walla Valley AVA and both sustainably farmed:\n\n- **Ferguson Vineyard** — An estate vineyard situated within the SeVein vineyard development. It is named as a tribute to founders Jean and Baker Ferguson and represents the family's long-term vision for terroir-driven viticulture.\n- **Seven Hills Vineyard** — A long-established estate vineyard in which Marty Clubb is a Managing Partner. The site has been central to the winery's acclaimed Bordeaux-style blends.\n\nBoth vineyards express distinct soils, elevations, and microclimates, demanding an intentional, site-sensitive approach in both vineyard management and cellar work.\n\nBeyond the estate, Marty Clubb personally works with more than 30 vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, collaborating directly with growers to manage contracted blocks.\n\nAdditional sourcing vineyards referenced in featured wines include:\n- **Stillwater Creek Vineyard** — Royal Slope AVA (source for Semillon)\n- **Loch Block Vineyard** — Yakima Valley AVA (source for Grenache Blanc)\n\n---\n\n## Signature Wines\n\nL'Ecole Nº 41 specializes in Bordeaux-style blends and varietals, with notable strength in white wines, particularly Semillon. Featured wines referenced on the website include:\n\n- **2023 Cabernet Franc/Merlot Estate** — Sourced from Ferguson and Seven Hills Vineyards, Walla Walla Valley\n- **2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate** — Sourced from Ferguson and Seven Hills Vineyards, Walla Walla Valley\n- **2022 Ferguson** — Estate wine from Ferguson Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley; the winery's flagship Bordeaux-style blend\n- **2024 Semillon** — Sourced from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Royal Slope\n- **2025 Grenache Blanc** — Sourced from Loch Block Vineyard, Yakima Valley\n\nThe **Ferguson** bottling is positioned as the winery's most prestigious wine, a Bordeaux-style blend that has received some of the world's highest honors, including Decanter's International Trophy for Best Bordeaux Blend in the World.\n\n---\n\n## Tasting Notes\n\nWhile formal structured tasting notes are limited in the scraped content, the winery's Wine Club and DTC Sales Manager offers a staff perspective: the Semillon is personally described as pairing beautifully with cedar plank salmon or fresh chèvre on a baguette, while the Columbia Valley Syrah is recommended alongside grilled elk loin — suggesting bright, food-friendly profiles for both wines.\n\n---\n\n## Wine Club\n\nL'Ecole Nº 41 operates an exclusive top-tier membership known as **L'E41**, described as an annual membership reserved for the winery's top 41 customers from the prior year. Benefits include access to the exclusive two-day celebration called **Fête de 41**, held annually (the next edition is scheduled for May 29–30, 2026). Wine club and direct-to-consumer sales activities are managed by Jaime Iseminger.\n\n---\n\n## Tasting Room & Visitor Experience\n\nThe tasting room is located in the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse that serves as the winery's iconic home and label image. Events hosted at the property — referred to as \"the Schoolhouse\" — include themed social gatherings such as barbecue celebrations, music bingo nights (\"Mingo\"), and trivia evenings, suggesting a lively and community-oriented visitor experience. Third-generation family member Malakai Clubb works part-time in the tasting room, reinforcing the personal, family-connected nature of the hospitality experience.\n\n---\n\n## Accolades\n\n- Named a **Wine & Spirits Top 100 Winery seventeen times**, achieving Premier Cru status with that publication\n- Recipient of **Decanter's International Trophy for Best Bordeaux Blend in the World**\n- Consistent national and international recognition spanning more than four decades\n- The inaugural 1983 Merlot earned the **only Gold Medal** awarded by the Pacific Northwest Enological Society in 1","somm_notes":[],"wines":[{"name":"Ferguson","vintage":"","variety":"Bordeaux Blend","price":""},{"name":"Perigee","vintage":"","variety":"Bordeaux Blend","price":""},{"name":"Apogee","vintage":"","variety":"Bordeaux Blend","price":""},{"name":"Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":"","variety":"Cabernet Sauvignon","price":""},{"name":"Merlot","vintage":"","variety":"Merlot","price":""},{"name":"Syrah","vintage":"","variety":"Syrah","price":""},{"name":"Grenache","vintage":"","variety":"Grenache","price":""},{"name":"Frenchtown Red Wine","vintage":"","variety":"Red Blend","price":""},{"name":"GSM","vintage":"","variety":"Red Blend","price":""},{"name":"Cabernet Franc/Merlot","vintage":"","variety":"Red Blend","price":""},{"name":"Malbec","vintage":"","variety":"Malbec","price":""},{"name":"Luminesce","vintage":"","variety":"White Blend","price":""},{"name":"Semillon","vintage":"","variety":"Semillon","price":""},{"name":"Sauvignon Blanc","vintage":"","variety":"Sauvignon Blanc","price":""},{"name":"Frenchtown Sauvignon Blanc","vintage":"","variety":"Sauvignon Blanc","price":""},{"name":"Chardonnay","vintage":"","variety":"Chardonnay","price":""},{"name":"Chenin Blanc","vintage":"","variety":"Chenin Blanc","price":""},{"name":"Grenache Rosé","vintage":"","variety":"Grenache","price":""}],"patti":null,"visitor_ratings":[{"source":"yelp","rating":5.0,"count":1},{"source":"google","rating":4.8,"count":18},{"source":"tripadvisor","rating":4.4,"count":159}],"sample_reviews":[],"critic_scores":[{"wine_name":"PERIGEE Estate Seven Hills Vineyard","vintage":2022,"score":96,"source":"Jeb Dunnuck","critic":"Jeb Dunnuck","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"FERGUSON Estate Ferguson Vineyard","vintage":2022,"score":96,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"APOGEE Pepper Bridge Vineyard","vintage":2022,"score":95,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Syrah Estate SHV Shelf talker","vintage":2021,"score":94,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Merlot Estate Shelf talker","vintage":2022,"score":93,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Luminesce Estate Seven Hills Vineyard","vintage":2024,"score":92,"source":"Jeb Dunnuck","critic":"Jeb Dunnuck","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Syrah CV Shelf talker","vintage":2022,"score":92,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Chenin Blanc Old Vines YV","vintage":2024,"score":91,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Stillwater Semillon Shelf talker","vintage":2023,"score":91,"source":"Wine Enthusiast","critic":"Wine Enthusiast","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Frenchtown Red Wine CV","vintage":2023,"score":91,"source":"James Suckling","critic":"James Suckling","tasting_note":null},{"wine_name":"Merlot CV Shelf talker","vintage":2022,"score":90,"source":"Wine Enthusiast","critic":"Wine Enthusiast","tasting_note":null}],"community_scores":[{"wine_name":"Ferguson Vineyard","vintage":2011,"score":95,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.5/5 (62 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Merlot - Cabernet Franc","vintage":2016,"score":94,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.4/5 (59 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard","vintage":2012,"score":94,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.4/5 (103 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Ferguson Vineyard","vintage":2022,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (829 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Cabernet Franc (Seven Hills Vineyard)","vintage":2014,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (35 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Grenache (Stone Tree Vineyard)","vintage":2014,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (26 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Perigee (Seven Hills Vineyard)","vintage":2013,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (137 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Syrah (Seven Hills Vineyard)","vintage":2012,"score":93,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.3/5 (65 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Perigee (Seven Hills Vineyard)","vintage":2022,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (1,268 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Perigee (Seven Hills Vineyard)","vintage":2021,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (1,268 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard","vintage":2020,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (1,239 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley","vintage":2019,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (332 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Estate Merlot (Seven Hills Vineyard)","vintage":2017,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (86 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Cabernet Sauvignon","vintage":2013,"score":92,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.2/5 (279 ratings)"},{"wine_name":"Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley","vintage":2022,"score":91,"source":"Vivino","critic":null,"tasting_note":"Vivino community: 4.1/5 (4,415 ratings)"}],"events":[{"title":"New Year's Eve","start_date":"2026-12-31","start_time":null,"url":"https://www.lecole.com/events/","is_members_only":false}]}