L’ecole No. 41

L’Ecole N° 41 is a third-generation family-owned, artisan winery located in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on the label.  A shared passion for wine and belief in Washington State as a premier wine growing region led to its founding in 1983 by Baker & Jean Ferguson, respected pioneers of the nascent Washington State wine industry. At the time, it was just the third winery in Walla Walla and the twentieth commercial winery in the State. Their first vintage of Merlot in 1983 won the only Gold Medal issued by the 1986 Pacific Northwest Enological Society and established a tradition of excellence which resonates today.

The Fergusons’ daughter Megan, and her husband Marty Clubb, took a leap of faith and moved to Walla Walla in 1989, with Marty assuming responsibilities as manager and winemaker of L’Ecole.  In 1997, Marty, along with fellow Walla Walla Valley viticulture pioneers Norm McKibben (Pepper Bridge Winery) and Gary Figgins (Leonetti Cellar) partnered to begin the 170 acre expansion of Seven Hills Vineyard.  In the mid-2000s, they partnered once again in the adjacent 1,800 acre vineyard development, SeVein, home to L’Ecole’s newest Estate Ferguson Vineyard, both of which are certified sustainable and certified Salmon Safe. As the winery grew, focus remained on producing ultra-premium, distinctive wines that reflect the unmistakable typicity of Washington State and the unique terroir of Walla Walla Valley vineyards. As a result, L’Ecole has become one of the most respected wineries in Washington State with a well-known reputation for quality and consistency across our wine portfolio, garnering national and international accolades over the years and being recognized 17 times by Wine & Spirits Magazine as a Top 100 Winery of the Year.