Fall 2004

Notes From the Winemaker

THE HARVEST
This year’s hard winter created a number of challenges in the vineyards. Walla Walla Valley was hit hardest and we have had to retrain a number of vines from the ground up. Despite the vine damage, we expect a small harvest of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from Seven Hills Vineyard. Fortunately, most parts of the Columbia Valley faired better. A warm March resulted in early bud break, and a slightly cooler April and May were perfect for shoot growth and tissue recovery. Vineyard crews spent considerable time shoot-thinning and leafstripping to regain balance. July and early August have been hot and with the early bud break, we are going to have another early harvest like 2003. I just made my rounds through all our vineyards and our final adjustments on green thinning are being completed. Berry size is small, and this is almost always good news for wine quality. We are gearing up for harvest to start the last week in August.

VALLEY NEWS
The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, the Walla Walla Community College Foundation and the Blue Mountain Arts Alliance are excited to present Entwine 2004, a gala dinner and auction to support education, the arts and the wine industry of the Walla Walla Valley. The event, scheduled for Friday, November 19th at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Convention Center, will feature silent and live auctions of premium wines, fine artwork, culinary experiences, exciting sporting event packages and other treasures. For more information, please call the Walla Walla Community College Foundation at 509.527.4275.

SCHOOL NEWS
What makes a great wine? A great vineyard! Wine & Spirits Fall 2004 Special Issue featured this topic when it named Seven Hills Vineyard one of 10 Great Vineyards of the World. L’Ecole Nº 41 is a partner with Pepper Bridge Winery and Leonetti Cellar in this acclaimed vineyard. Approximately 35% of our fruit comes from Seven Hills, with 5 distinct estate single vineyard bottlings.

Our production crew has been busy this spring and summer landscaping our new pond, planting a small vineyard next to the schoolhouse and completing our new production and lab facilities. Photographs on the adjacent page highlight these activities. We are pleased to welcome Bill Mansker who completes our production winemaking team.

Martin and Megan Clubb, and the staff of L'Ecole Nº 41

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