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 continued.   Lowden's L'Ecole No 41 honors and preserves the area's historic winemaking tradition with the production of premium handcrafted, varietal wines, as well as with its choice of locations and its 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 preserved the schoolroom character by incorporating the original chalkboards, light fixtures, fir floors and moldings into its finished character.          Keeping company with L'Ecole's 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 most L'Ecole wines incorporates the historic schoolhouse theme.          While its location enhances the pleasure of a visit, L'Ecole's reputation rests solidly on its many years of producing quality wines, wines consistently recognized for their rich and flavorful, full-bodied character.  A hands-on traditional approach to winemaking at L'Ecole 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 the high-quality viticultural management so important to premium wines.           Maintaining its original focus on Merlot and Semillon, L'Ecole also produces quantities of highly recognized Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chenin Blanc, as well as awarding winning red and white blends. As  L'Ecole No 41 increased its production of wine varietals and blends, so too did its need for barrel storage grow.   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, an additional 1.3-acre vineyard was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon next to the winery where now L'Ecole visitors can observe and learn about a working vineyard.          The winery is open to the public for tasting seven days a week, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except on major holidays.  Call first for tours.   Featured L'Ecole No 41 Wines 10% or Wine Club Discount will be calculated on purchases of 12 or more current release bottles. Join L'Ecole's Wine Club, Vins de L'Ecole.  For more details and to sign up click here.
2008 Estate Luminesce 70% Semillon / 30% Sauvignon Blanc Blend Wine Enthusiast - 91 points – Editor’s Choice (Nov '09) $19.00   [Order] Tasting Notes: Rich and complex, this Estate Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc shows exotic star fruit, papaya, and tropical flavors with lychee and melon on a spicy, crisp mineral finish. Winemaker Comments:  Luminesce captures the refreshing and illuminating aspect of this classic Bordeaux blend. This wine is anchored with Semillon at its core, providing lush tones of melon, pear and honeysuckle. The introduction of Sauvignon Blanc broadens the flavor and texture elevating the crisp, floral and mineral side of the wine. As with our red Bordeaux blend Perigee, Luminesce exemplifies the signature characteristics of our Estate Seven Hills Vineyard. 2008 Fries Vineyard Semillon Wahluke Slope 100% Semillon $19.00   [Order] Tasting Notes: This crisp, aromatic gem shows multiple layers of pear, fresh fig and apricot with spicy, floral, honeysuckle aromas and hints of 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. 2008 Columbia Valley Chardonnay 100% Chardonnay Wine Enthusiast - 88 points $21.00   [Order] This wine is a blend of three distinguished vineyards:  52% Schmitt Vineyard; 36% Evergreen; 12% Bacchus.	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
Tasting Notes:  This elegantly balanced Chardonnay shows robust acidity and purity of fruit with subdued tropical fruit, orange blossom and Asian pear flavors and subtle mineral nuances that gain complexity on a long, robust finish. 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. Vinification:  The fruit was lightly whole-cluster pressed to tank and allowed to settle. The juice was then racked off of the solids into mostly second and third year French oak barrels where it was aged sur lie and stirred for six months resulting in a rich mouth feel and a creamy full finish. 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). 2007 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Released:  December 2008 2006 vintage made the San Francisco Chronicle's Top 100 list! $39.00   [Order] Tasting Notes:  Its elegant, old world structure and dense, dark fruit flavors show blackberry and plum with flavors of cassis, dark cherry, earth and savory herbs on a beautifully balanced finish. Winemaker Comments:  This complex and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the diversity of terroir in the Walla Walla Valley from vineyards planted in wind-blown loess (our Estate Seven Hills Vineyard and Loess Vineyard), ice-age flood silts (Va Piano Vineyard and Pepper Bridge Vineyard) and basalt river rock (Yellow Jacket Vineyard).  These prestigious vineyards are certified sustainable and Salmon Safe. Vinification:  Each vineyard lot was hand harvested ripe and gently crushed into one-ton stainless steel fermenters. The must was inoculated with yeast and punched down by hand during fermentation to maximize fruit extraction. When fermentation was complete or we were otherwise satisfied with the level of tannin and flavor extract, the must was gently pressed. After settling, the wine was racked to 100% small oak barrels with approximately 40% new oak, and then barrel aged 22 months with five rackings. 2007 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah Walla Walla Valley 100% Syrah Released:  April 2009 Wine Enthusiast - 92 points Wine & Spirits - 91 points Wine Spectator - 92 points $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. Vinification:  Each lot was hand harvested ripe and gently crushed into one-ton stainless steel fermenters. The must was inoculated with yeast and punched down by hand during fermentation to maximize fruit extraction. When fermentation was complete or we were otherwise satisfied with the level of tannin and flavor extract, the must was gravity fed into the press. After a gentle pressing, the wine was racked to tank and allowed to settle. The wine was then racked to 100% small oak barrels, with approximately 30% new oak, and was barrel aged 18 months with four rackings. 2006 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Estate Apogee Walla Walla Valley 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc Released:  December 2008 The Wine Advocate - 94 points Wine & Spirits - 92 points Wine Spectator - 91 points $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. Vinification:  The handpicked grapes were gently crushed and de-stemmed into small, one-ton stainless steel fermenters. The must was fermented with Pasteur Red and Cepage Cabernet yeast and gently punched down by hand two to three times daily. At the ideal balance of tannin and fruit extraction, the must was gently pressed and transferred to tank to settle. The resulting wine was aged 22 months in 100% small oak barrels with approximately 50% new oak. The wine was racked five times, then bottled unfined and lightly filtered to preserve its natural flavors. 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee Walla Walla Valley 56% Cabernet Sauvignon; 34% Merlot; 10% Cabernet Franc Released:  December 2008 The Wine Advocate - 93 points Wine & Spirits - 93 points Wine Enthusiast - 93 points $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. Vinification:  The handpicked grapes were gently crushed and de-stemmed into small, one-ton stainless steel fermenters. The must was fermented with Pasteur Red and Cepage Cabernet yeast and gently punched down by hand two to three times daily. At the ideal balance of tannin and fruit extraction, the must was gently pressed and transferred to tank to settle. The resulting wine was aged 22 months in 100% small oak barrels with approximately 50% new oak. The wine was racked five times, then bottled unfined and lightly filtered to preserve its natural flavors. 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: 12/20/2009