Visit Historic Schoolhouse N^o 41
...where the past joins the present in a quality wine-tasting experience

As legend has it, the raising of grapes and production of wine in Southeastern Washington began with French Canadian employees of the Hudson Bay Company post at "Frenchtown" during the 1820s. Frenchtown became today's Lowden, Washington, but the tradition of winemaking continues today.   Lowden's L'Ecole No 41 honors the area's historic winemaking tradition with the production of premium, handcrafted, varietal wines, as well as with its choice of a winery name.      L'Ecole, French for "the school," began its winery in 1983, in the basement of the old 1915  Schoolhouse No 41.  In 1996, production was expanded by the addition of a state-of-the-art facility built that year, while the winery's  laboratory and red wine-barrel aging took over the basement.  Located on the main floor, L'Ecole's tasting room was restored, preserving the schoolroom character with its original chalkboards, light fixtures, fir floors and moldings.  Tucked away among barrels in the cellar is a Christmas pageant mural and child-size drinking fountain.  Offices and an oversized meeting room also echo uses of schooldays past.  Even the label for L'Ecole wines incorporates the historic schoolhouse theme, thanks to the 1983 artistic rendition of the winery by then eight-year-old Ryan Campbell.        While its location makes it a pleasure to visit, L'Ecole builds its reputation on the production of superior, quality wines, known for their richness and their flavorful,  full-bodied character.  A hands-on, traditional approach to winemaking includes a dedication to obtaining the highest quality fruits possible.  Vineyard investments and longstanding relationships with distinguished growers in the Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys have assured L'Ecole of the high-quality viticultural management so important to superior fruit for wines.         Maintaining its original focus on Merlot and Semillon, L'Ecole also now produces highly recognized quantities of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chenin Blanc.  Its Semillon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are all barrel aged, creating a significant demand for barrel storage.  In the fall of 2003, L'Ecole completed the construction of a new concrete tilt barrel storage facility that accommodates its current inventory of more than 2,000 French and American oak barrels.  In the spring of 2004, a 1.3-acre vineyard was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon next to the winery where now L'Ecole visitors have the opportunity to observe a working vineyard.        The winery is open to the public for tasting and touring (call first for details) seven days a week, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except on major holidays.   Featured L'Ecole No 41 Wines Join L'Ecole's Wine Club, Vins de L'Ecole. For more details and to sign up click here.
2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc 100% Chenin Blanc $14.00   [Order] Tasting Notes:  L’Ecole Nº 41 has produced this old vine, Vouvray style Chenin Blanc since 1987.  Jean Ferguson, L’Ecole Nº 41’s founding winemaker, loved this wine and crafted her version of Vouvray through cold fermentation to enhance the fruity and floral esters.  Pronounced with a French accent as ‘Walla Voila’ or here it is!!, this regional, whimsical pun captures the lively and vibrant flavors of this varietal. Winemaker Comments:  This fresh and delightfully fruity Chenin Blanc shows brightly perfumed peach, honey and orange blossom aromas with flavors of fresh apricot and pear on a floral, lightly sweet finish. 2007 Fries Vineyard Semillon Wahluke Slope 100% Semillon Released: December 2008 90 pts - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar $19.00   [Order] Tasting Notes: This crisp, lively, aromatic gem shows multiple layers of fresh apple, pear and apricot fruit with spicy floral and honeysuckle aromas and hints of fresh fig and tangerine on a clean, zesty finish. Winemaker Comments:  The Fries Vineyard continues to prove itself as an exceptional vineyard site for Semillon. The Wahluke Slope is the south facing slope off the Saddle Mountains. With sandy silty soils, warm day temperatures and cool night air rolling off the mountains, we achieve ripe fruit intensity with high natural acidity. Since 1996, this wine has been simply too delicious not to bottle on its own. 2007 Columbia Valley Chardonnay 100% Chardonnay Released: July 2008 90 pts - Wine Enthusiast $21.00   [Order]	Regional Winery of the Year 2008 (Winter 2008) "Marty Clubb has built L'Ecole N° 41 into one of Walla Walla's flagships...making wines that represent the region, the wines that signify Walla Walla." —Patrick Comiskey Read the full article
This wine is a blend of three distinguished vineyards:  52% Schmitt Vineyard; 36% Evergreen; 12% Bacchus. Tasting Notes:  Elegantly balanced, this Burgundian style Chardonnay shows perfumed blossom fruit, Fuji apple and Asian pear with spicy tropical flavors and subtle mineral nuances that gain complexity on a long, robust finish. Winemaker Comments:  Winemaker Comments  Some of the best Chardonnays in Washington State are grown in the slightly cooler growing conditions of Yakima Valley and in the northern latitudes of the Columbia Valley. The Schmitt Vineyard (Yakima Valley) provides ripe tropical fruit, while Evergreen (latitude 47 on the Columbia River) contributes crisp acidity and minerality. The old vines at the warmer Bacchus Vineyard provide a nuance of ripe pear on this Burgundian style Chardonnay. 2007 Recess Red Columbia Valley 50% Merlot, 25% Syrah, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc Released:  November 2008 $17.00   [Order] A fun, drink-me now table wine with fruity aromas of red cherry, plum and cola.  The ripe, cherry flavors and well-integrated tannins of this great food wine will have you reaching for a second glass. Aged eight months in neutral French and American oak barrels. Tasting Notes: After the last bell of the day has rung and work is put away, everyone needs to take time to relax and enjoy life’s treasures. We have the perfect wine for these moments, Recess Red. You are never too old for Recess! Winemaker Comments: This hearty red wine is in part comprised of the hard press fractions of each of our vineyard lots, including some of our best vineyard sites. As a result, many customers view this table wine as the bargain from L’Ecole Nº 41 (formerly known in the Pacific Northwest as Schoolhouse Red). 2006 Columbia Valley Merlot 80% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon Released:  December 2008 $29.00   [Order] This wine was barrel aged 18 months in small oak barrels, approximately 33% new. Tasting Notes:  Rich with aromatic aromas of nutmeg, clove and cinnamon, this spicy Merlot shows red cherry,  blackberry and dark fruit flavors encased in a peppery, cocoa, black cherry finish.  Aged 18 months in 100% small oak barrels with approximately 40% new oak. Vineyards:  The Merlot in this blend is from several premium vineyards including: Pepper Bridge Vineyard; Dionysus; Klipsun; Weinbau; Katherine Leone; Stone Tree; Loess; Estate Seven Hills Vineyard; Candy Mountain and Mirage. 2007 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah Walla Walla Valley 100% Syrah Released:  April 2009 $36.00   [Order] Tasting Notes:  This Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah is loaded with dark spicy complex aromas of leather, tobacco, anise and cola. The rich mid-palate shows flavors of ripe plum and dense blackberry that give way to a concentrated and unrelenting earthy mineral finish.  Aged 18 months in 100% small oak barrels, approximately 30% new oak. Winemaker Comments:  This Estate Syrah is a blend of three distinct blocks from Seven Hills Vineyard: 1/3 Block 11 (relatively flat terrain), 1/3 Block 26 (north slope) and 1/3 Block 27 (south terrace). Planted with the Espequette or Phelps clone, each block contributes unique characteristics. L’Ecole Nº 41 is a partner in the 220 acre Seven Hills Vineyard, along with Pepper Bridge Winery and Leonetti Cellar. 2006 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Estate Apogee Walla Walla Valley 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc Released:  December 2008 $49.00   [Order] Tasting Notes:  Boldly aromatic, this wine has spicy aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg, earthy hints of sweet tobacco and leather, and smoky dark fruit packed with chocolate, mint and cherry finish.  This wine was aged 22 months in 100% small oak barrels with approximately 50% new oak. Winemaker Comments: Apogee is the point in the orbit of the moon that is the greatest distance from the earth; the farthest point or apex.  This name reflects all that we were trying to accomplish with the wine, reaching the ultimate in quality. 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee Walla Walla Valley 56% Cabernet Sauvignon; 34% Merlot; 10% Cabernet Franc Released:  December 2008 $49.00   [Order] Tasting Notes:  Perigee exemplifies our Seven Hills Estate Vineyard’s characteristic cedary, richly structured elegance. Polished with perfumed aromas of exotic spice, velvety blackberry and silky black cherry fruit, this wine has an earthy, chalky, minerality which exudes power and grace on a spicy pepper finish. Aged 22 months in 100% small oak barrels with approximately 50% new oak. Winemaker Comments: Perigee is the closest point to the earth in the moon’s orbit. Closeness to the earth is an attractive attribute for Seven Hills Vineyard, since the wine is known for its earthy structure and suggests the environmentally sound and sustainable viticultural practices we utilize. To review and order L'Ecole wines, merchandise or wine gifts: Link to the winery's online Wine Shop Email your order FAX your order to 509-525-2775 Call in your order to 509-525-0940                     Copyright © 1997 - 2009  Susan R. O'Hara. All rights reserved. Last revised: 06/11/2009