Spring 2006

Dear Friends of the Winery,

Class! Class! Class!:
Cheech and Chong echo in my memory! The fun part of operating a winery in an old school building is the school theme finds ways to grow and keep us entertained. Our spring School News should put you back in class and we promise there will be no tests. The paperless crowd can request School News via email – please email jaime@lecole.com for that gold star version.

Recess in the Vineyard:
Recent visitors to the winery may have noticed our small Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard just west of the schoolhouse, planted on the old school baseball field. Mild winter temperatures and normal rainfall have set us up for a healthy budbreak and moderate shoot growth this spring. We have been actively pruning vines at our Estate Seven Hills Vineyard and are concentrating on improving soil health through our sustainable viticulture program.

Washington, the Perfect Climate for Wine:
I love this tag line for Washington wine quite simply because it is true. Four attributes of our growing conditions culminate in this bold statement: latitude; lack of rain; ice-age soils; and vines that grow on their natural rootstock. This unique combination does not exist in any other growing region in the world. As a result, our wines capture the flavors of ripe new world fruit yet retain old world elegance, structure and balance.

Sometimes, Not so Perfect:
Every six or seven years mother nature pushes an arctic front west of the Rockies and we can sustain bud and tissue damage in the vineyards. Unfortunately this happened in the Walla Walla Valley in the winter of 2004. An aggressive cane burial program, wind machines throughout the vineyard, and natural resilience from ownrooted vines made our bounce back factor high for the 2005 vintage. However, the end result is that we will not produce a 2004 Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot, normally released this spring, nor will we produce a 2004 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee or 2004 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee. Now would be the time to stock up on the fabulous 2003 vintage!

Vins de L’Ecole (wines of the school)

Wild at the Ginger!
It was wild at the Ginger April 7th during our firstever L’Ecole No 41 Wine Club Member Spring Break Event at Wild Ginger in Seattle! Club members enjoyed a preview of new releases and a glimpse back at some vintage favorites from the L’Ecole No 41 library. Wines were perfectly paired with Wild Ginger appetizers.

Library Tasting:
Are you wondering how that older bottle is drinking, but aren’t quite ready to open it? Well, we are cracking open the library door to Vins de L’Ecole Members for special tastings that you won’t want to miss! Library wine tasting is complimentary for 2 people per membership. Additional guests: $10/each.
The Library will be open to Vins de L’Ecole Members on these days:
Friday May 5th 2-4:30 PM (Spring Release Weekend)
Friday June 2nd 2-4:30 PM (Vintage Walla Walla Weekend)

Interested in Vins de L’Ecole?
Wine club members receive advance shipments of new releases three times per year and receive discounts on purchases of wine and merchandise. You may enroll on our website at www.lecole.com or contact Jaime Chalk, L’Ecole Wine Club Manager.

On The Chalkboard:

The Governor’s State of the State:
Governor Chris Gregoire, in her State of the State address, complimented Marty and Megan for implementing the great vision of Megan’s parents, Jean and Baker Ferguson, who had the foresight to recognize the extraordinary wine producing potential of Washington State when they founded L’Ecole No 41 in 1983. In their honor, L’Ecole No 41 will dedicate a special reserve bottling this December, the 2004 Ferguson Commemorative Reserve.

Washington CEO Magazine Front Cover:
Marty and Megan were honored to be featured on the front cover of the February 2006 issue of Washington CEO Magazine. L’Ecole No 41 won honors for a number of wines with the 2002 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee garnering first place.

2006 Auction of Washington Wines Honorary Vintner, Marty Clubb:
Since 1999, the auction has honored industry leaders for their contributions to the Washington Wine industry. Selected by their peers and confirmed by the Washington Wine Commission, the Honorary Vintner Chair represents the state’s more than 400 wineries. “We are honored to have this opportunity to highlight Marty for his incredible commitment to and leadership on behalf of the Washington wine industry”. Carol Munro, AWW, Executive Director For more information, visit www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org

Best Tasting Room, says Seattle Magazine:
"…The tasting staff walks visitors through L’Ecole’s prize-winning lineup without pretense, a modest approach that’s refreshing.” – April 2006. We are so proud of our tasting room team! Go Team Go!

News at the School:
-Construction on a 3,000 sq. ft. addition to the concrete tilt barrel room began in early spring and should be completed this summer.
-Joel Fitts has diligently worked harvest for L’Ecole for four years and we finally enticed him to permanently join our production team. Welcome Joel!

Spring 2006 Wine Releases:

2004 Columbia Valley Merlot.
80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. Rich and spicy, with aromatic aromas of nutmeg, clove and cinnamon, this Merlot shows ripe black plum, blackberry and dark flavors encased in a peppery, chocolate, black cherry finish.

2003 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard blend includes 38% Estate Seven Hills Vineyard, 22% Va Piano, 21% Yellow Jacket and 19% Windrow. Its old world structure and dense dark fruit flavors show cassis, black cherry, and cocoa, with leather, tobacco and savory spice on a balanced toasty finish

2004 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah.
The hard winter of 2004 may have limited the quantity (500 cases) but has turned up the density and spice in this newest Estate Syrah. With uncanny consistency, this wine was harvested ultra-ripe, with jammy dark plum, dense blackberry, black currants, and with an elegant mineral and earthy finish.

2005 “Walla Voila” Chenin Blanc.
100% from Willard Farms, planted in 1979. These old vines produce vibrantly fruity and lively Chenin, with brightly perfumed apple and orange blossom aromas, flavors of fresh apricot and pear, on a grapefruit zesty floral finish.

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