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Fall 2009

Think Walla Walla — Drink L’Ecole

Walla Walla, WA – From the beginning of modern day grape growing and wine making in the Walla Walla Valley, L’Ecole No 41 has been instrumental in establishing the Walla Walla Valley as one of the most exciting and written about viticulture regions in America. We have immersed ourselves in the rhythms of many vintages and, along the way, have learned how to translate our vineyards’ potential to produce the finest wines.

The name L’Ecole has become synonymous, among consumers and wine trade, with Washington State Semillon and Merlot, establishing these varietials as the cornerstone of our production early on. L’Ecole produced its first Walla Walla Valley designated wines with the 1993 vintage—from an AVA with a 9 year history and less than 60 acres in production. The distinct attributes of these wines signified the immense potential of this young growing region and secured L’Ecole’s first commitment to estate vineyards at Seven Hills Vineyard in 1997. A decade and a half later, vine maturity and root depth are delivering a richer and more complex slate of fruit and mineral character. In other words, we are making increasingly terroir-driven and distinctive wines. The evolution of the L’Ecole portfolio is a testament to the increasing maturity and quality of the Walla Walla Valley.

“...what has been proven beyond a doubt is that anyone who values tradition, continuity, and a track record of excellence, will eventually find their way to L’Ecole’s wines. A lot of wineries succeed at making a few barrels of something good in their first or second vintage. The real challenge is to make consistently fine wine, over many years and vintages, across a wide number of varietals and blends.”

— Paul Gregutt, author, wine critic, columnist, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Seattle Times

With respect to traditional wine growing regions, we are fortunate to be a part of a young, dynamic industry that welcomes innovation. L’Ecole continues to be at the forefront of sustainable farming in the Valley. Our Walla Walla Valley wines are made from grapes sourced from VINEA1 certified sustainable vineyards. These wines are also certified Salmon Safe2. This level of commitment speaks to L’Ecole’s long term stewardship of the land we farm, ensuring our vineyards thrive well into the future.

The uncommon quality of wines made from Walla Walla Valley grapes is evident and well represented in L’Ecole No 41’s diverse portfolio of six Walla Walla Valley wines.

Growing grapes and making wine is a lifelong learning process. Fortunately the ‘take home exams’ require years of sipping and savoring fine wines. Through the end of the year, we will be offering “scholarship pricing” on select Walla Walla Valley wines. Enrich your Walla Walla Valley knowledge:

Martin Clubb

1 VINEA: a Walla Walla Valley viticulture organization whose members have made a voluntary commitment to sustainable farming practices that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially supportive. VINEA means “vine” in Latin and has been designed to specifically take into account our climate and terroir in the Walla Walla Valley. VINEA is internationally recognized for its strict environmental standards and high quality farming practices. VINEA members are certified by the IOBC through the Oregon based organization LIVE.

2 Salmon Safe: A leading West Coast eco-label, Salmon Safe sets rigorous standards for water quality and habitat protection. VINEA has joined with Salmon-Safe to promote ecologically sustainable viticulture practices that protect the Walla Walla watershed so that salmon can spawn and thrive.

New Fall Releases

2008 Estate Luminesce Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
70% Semillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc
789 cases
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.

2007 Estate Merlot Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
81% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc
1,326 cases
With mature vines, this consistently rich and flavorful merlot from our Estate Seven Hills Vineyard shows its characteristic cedary, black cherry fruit, with baking spice aromas and a gripping mix of blueberry, blackberry and cocoa on an elegant, earthy finish.

2008 Semillon Columbia Valley
89% Semillon, 11% Sauvignon Blanc
4,154 cases
Remarkably brilliant with rich fruit and balanced acidity, this wine shows fragrant citrus blossom, lemon and floral aromas, with melon, pear, lychee nut and key-lime flavors on a honeysuckle mineral-rich finish.

2008 Chardonnay Columbia Valley
100% Chardonnay
4,925 cases
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.


Wine Club Member Events

First Ever

Retrospective Tasting

November 6 • 2:00pm

1997 Apogee
1999 Apogee
2001 Apogee
2003 Apogee
2003 Estate Perigee
2006 Apogee
2006 Estate Perigee

Join Marty for an unbelievable vertical tasting and experience the amazing cellaring potential of our two most esteemed wines. History has never been more delicious!

Details - This is a seated tasting and is by reservation only. Limited to 30 people. Space is first come, first serve. Cost: $25/person for Wine Club Members & $40/person for guests. To reserve your spot, call or e-mail jaime@lecole.com.

Wine Club Member Pick Up Party

November 6-7 • 10am-5pm both days

Vins de L’Ecole members are invited to escape the crowds and join us for a private tasting of new releases including the 2007 Walla Walla Valley Reserve (199 cases - Wine Club Member Exclusive). A very limited quantity of this wine will be available to purchase for the first time this weekend (6-bottle limit). Hors d’oeuvres and a barrel sample of our 2008 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Seven Hills Vineyard will also be offered. Only 8 barrels of this cabernet are being made which will be released exclusively to club members Fall 2010.

Details - Guests of members are welcome. Members may also pick up their November Wine Club Selection. Please let Jaime know ahead of time if you would like to do so.

We are excited to announce our September 2009 Wine Club Selections!

Vin Select:
2007 Estate Syrah–Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
2007 Estate Merlot–Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
2008 Estate Luminesce–Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley

Vin Rouge
2007 Estate Syrah–Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
2007 Estate Merlot–Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley

Vin Blanc
2008 Estate Luminesce–Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
2008 Semillon–Columbia Valley
2008 Chardonnay–Columbia Valley

Wine Club Programs
Want to make the most of your wine club discounts spread out the shipping costs? Consider changing membership level to Gold or Platinum. Call or Jaime to learn more.

Vin Select:
2 red & 1 white wine selections per shipment
3 shipments/year (Apr, Sept, & Nov)
Argent (Silver) ~ One bottle of each selection per shipment $75-110/shipment + tax & shipping
Or (Gold) ~ One case split equally among selections per shipment $300-400/shipment + tax & shipping
Platine (Platinum) ~ One case of each selection per shipment $775-1125/shipment + tax & shipping

Vin Rouge:
2 red wine selections per shipment
3 shipments/year (Apr, Sept, & Nov)
Argent (Silver) ~ One bottle of each selection per shipment $54-90/shipment + tax & shipping
Or (Gold) ~ One case split equally among selections per shipment $300-500/shipment + tax & shipping
Platine (Platinum) ~ One case of each selection per shipment $600-950/shipment + tax & shipping

Vin Blanc:
2-3 white wine selections per shipment
2 shipments/year (Apr & Sept)
Argent (Silver) ~ One bottle of each selection per shipment $30-50/shipment + tax & shipping
Or (Gold) ~ One case split equally among selections per shipment $160-170/shipment + tax & shipping
Platine (Platinum) ~ One case of each selection per shipment $320-510/shipment + tax & shipping



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