Spring 2004

Dear Friends of the Winery,

We are proud to be recently named Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year in the Spring 2004 issue of Wine Press Northwest. This is quite an honor given the more than 560 wineries in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia. According to Wine Press Northwest Editor Andy Perdue, this is "not a popularity contest," but is the editors' pick of wineries nominated from industry and consumers. Nominations are based on criteria of: longevity and track record; quality of wine at various tastings and competitions; reputation with consumers; and industry involvement. We proudly accept!

Many of you know that 2004 has been a challenging winter. For a brief few hours on the night of January 4th, an arctic dip plummeted temperatures to minus 15 degrees. The Walla Walla Valley and the Columbia Basin experienced a relatively high percentage of primary and secondary bud damage in some varietals and vineyards. With good snow cover, some of the primary buds were saved and we expect a small crop from these vineyards. We do not expect any serious, long-term damage. The rest of the state faired better, with predictions of near normal crops in Yakima, Wahluke Slope and the new Horse Heaven Hills Appellation. At L'Ecole Nº 41 we anticipate normal production levels of our Columbia Valley wines but will probably have reduced quantities of our Walla Walla Valley wines. Best estimates are that Washington State should be 80 to 85% of normal. While we've been fortunate to experience just one damaging winter in the last seven years, our cold winters are actually beneficial in most years, pushing our vines into deep dormancy and reducing over-wintering of typical vine pests and other unwanted bacteria. As one of the few areas in the world planted on its own natural rootstock, our vines have a speedy and resilient recovery.

Celebrate with us at this year's Spring Open House May 1st and 2nd. We will be open from 10 AM to 5 PM each day to showcase our new wine releases. Talented Chef Cristiana Fagioli is preparing the enclosed prix fixe dinner on Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st. Call Cindy at the winery 509.525.0940 to check whether seating is still available.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the Washington scene, Syrah has generated huge interest among consumers and wine media, given its overall intense concentration and quality. L'Ecole Nº 41 initially focused on developing our Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah but, beginning with the 2002 vintage, we produced a counterpart from the Columbia Valley. Our 2002 Columbia Valley Syrah shows opulent blueberry and brambly fruit flavors of raspberry and blackberry, with rich spice, roasted coffee and leather notes on a monumentally structured finish. Consistent with previous vintages, the 2002 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah was harvested ultra-ripe, with jammy dark plum, dense blackberry, black currants and elegant meaty flavors. Loaded with perfumed spice, this wine is packed with concentration and unrelenting intensity.

The 2002 vintage has been just as kind to Merlot, the first red varietal to prove its weight in Washington. The 2002 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot shows its characteristic cedary, silky black cherry fruit, with mint and floral aromas and a gripping, yet elegant mix of blueberry, blackberry, cocoa and sweet tannins on a long lingering finish. It is a blend of 89% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The 2002 Columbia Valley Merlot is rich and spicy, with aromatic aromas of nutmeg, clove and cinnamon, balanced with flavors of ripe black plum, huckleberry and cranberry fruit, and encased in a peppery black cherry finish. This blend is 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Carmenere.

The 2001 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc, and is predominately from Seven Hills Vineyard. Its rich structure and dark fruit flavors show ripe plum, black cherry and cocoa, with savory herbal notes on a balanced toasty finish. The 2003 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc is 100% from Willard Farms, planted in 1979. These old vines produce vibrantly fruity and lively Chenin, with bright perfumed citrus and orange blossom aromas, with flavors of crisp Fuji apple and grapefruit on a zesty floral yet delicate finish.

Don't miss Vintage Walla Walla June 5th. Our Walla Walla Valley wineries celebrate their art with a tasting featuring the Valley's newest releases and a rare selection of older vintages. This is an extraordinary opportunity to taste the wines of the present and visit some gems from the past that our winemakers have pulled from their own winery libraries. Tickets will be $75 each - advance purchase is required. For more information, visit www.wallawallawine.com.

Starting in June, The Marcus Whitman Hotel is hosting a "Winemaker Weekend" Package each month through November. L'Ecole Nº 41 will be the first featured winery June 25-26. Join me at the hotel Friday night for the L'Ecole Nº 41 Welcome Reception and Saturday night for an elegant, multi-course meal prepared by Chef Bear Ullman and expertly paired with our wines. Call the Marcus Whitman Hotel for more details at 509.525.2200.

A huge thank you to the 624 wine club members who have joined Vins de L'Ecole in the past two years. Members receive advance shipments of new releases to sample three times per year and receive discounts on purchases of wine and merchandise. Interested? You can enroll on our website or call Jay at the winery.

We are working with Zango Creative to put a new spin on our web site. We have tried to make this user friendly for our fans and customers and to provide interesting tidbits on our vineyards, viticulture practices and winemaking. Check it out at www.lecole.com.

Congratulations to Brooke Follett, our tasting room manager, and her new husband Kurt Williams who will be honeymooning in the Caribbean when you get this letter.

With some great new wines, we hope to see you this spring!

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