Winter 2005

Dear Friends of the Winery,

Walla Walla wineries rang in a new tradition at the start of the 2005 harvest with a choreographed ringing of six newly minted bronze winery bells. Local artisans of All Saints of America Bells created unique individualized bronze bells for six Walla Walla wineries (Abeja, Leonetti Cellar, Walla Walla Vintners, Waterbrook, Woodward Canyon, and of course L'Ecole No 41). The bronze replica of the original school cupola bell is now on display at our entrance and is featured on the front of this mailer. The original bell was cast in iron in 1886 by the C.S. Bell Company of Hillsboro, Ohio, and its replica hangs in our newly restored bell tower.

Our final days of harvest are underway and, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our production team, we are all delighted with the emerging wine quality. Seven Hills Vineyard and Pepper Bridge Vineyard produced spectacular wines this fall, with slightly lower yields and lengthier hang-time. These attributes bode well for quality, in terms of color extraction and flavor development. The white wines are also looking strong, with bright, clean, aromatically expressive Semillons already showing their worth.

Our most recent wine quality improvements have been germinating in the vineyard. L'Ecole No 41 and the Walla Walla Valley vineyards we work with are active members of Vinea, a sustainable viticulture program tailored for the soils and growing climate of the Walla Walla Valley (www.vineatrust.com). This environmentally sound program takes some of the best practices from organic and biodynamic farming and builds on them with sound biology to replenish beneficial micro-organisms and improve soil health. We are using vermicular compost teas in our drip system and non-waste engineered organic composts specifically designed for our soils. Healthy soil is the key component of sustainability and enables the vines to respond with optimum vigor, natural resistance to pests and disease, and ultimately leads to higher quality fruit. Better fruit, better wine.

Find out for yourself! Attend our 10th Annual Holiday Barrel Tasting and Open House the first weekend of December. The enclosed card highlights special weekend events including special wine dinners at L'Ecole by Chef Cristiana Fagioli. The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance has improved the Backstage Pass program offering waived tasting fees or special discounts to pass holders.

In the cellar we plan to barrel taste our 2005 Fries Vineyard Semillon and a very special 2004 reserve blend commemorating Meg's father and our founder, Baker Ferguson. Upstairs we will showcase our newest releases, including some perennial favorites: 2004 Fries Vineyard Semillon and 2003 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; new vintages of our single vineyard 2003 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee and 2003 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee; our first-ever 2004 Columbia Valley Semillon Ice Wine; and 2004 recess red.

The 2004 Fries Vineyard Semillon shows its classy apricot and peachy aromas with a zesty honeysuckle, apple and kiwi finish. The 2003 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cab with blackberry dark fruit, rich structure, and an intensely integrated mocha, black cherry and currant finish.

The 2003 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Perigee, meaning "close to the earth," highlights this vineyard's characteristic cedary, black cherry elegance. Polished with perfumed aromas and a silky tannin structure, this wine exudes its power with balance and grace. The weightier 2003 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee is boldly aromatic with spicy aromas of nutmeg and clove, earthy hints of sweet tobacco and leather on a luscious fruit packed dark chocolate and cherry finish. Adding its minty, black fruit component is Malbec, with a traditional Bordelais blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc.

The 2004 hard winter set us back a year on the home turf so we sought an alternate Semillon source for a late harvest wine, scoring big with the 2004 Semillon Ice Wine from the Rosebud Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. Harvested mid-January at 17 degrees, the fruit had a shriveled, frozen starkness that transformed into a raving beauty, showing floral nectar aromas of orange blossom and honeycomb with ripe peach and pear flavors on a viscous mineral finish. A keeper!

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 made the perfect wine for these moments, recess red (previously known as Schoolhouse Red…naïve winemakers learn trademark issues the hard way). A fun, drink-me-now wine that shows fruity aromas of cherry, cranberry, plum and spice that will have you reaching for a second glass. You're never too old for recess!

L'Ecole was recently honored by Wine & Spirits Magazine, being named one of their Wineries of the Year for the fourth consecutive year and having our 2002 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee named in their Top 100 Wines of the Year.

Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, impressed after a recent visit to Walla Walla, left with a lot more than good food and great wine. In a special letter to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin she summed up her visit to Entwine, the Walla Walla Community College auction supporting education, arts, and wine. "The crowd demonstrated how you have blended the arts, education, wine, tourism, agriculture and more into a powerful economic engine…So thanks, Walla Walla, for the wonderful visit, and the great example for our state of how a community can come together to transform itself."

Our L'Ecole No 41 team has never been stronger. We have heard from many of you about your wonderful experiences in our tasting room and our Wine Club members are raving about our newest member, Jaime Chalk, Wine Club and Shipping Manager. Jaime brings a fresh, can-do attitude, and we are delighted to have her on board.

We hope to see you in December!

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