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View the PDF version (1.7 meg) Apogee and Perigee |
Winter 2007 Dear Friends of the Winery, 25th Anniversary Celebration With continued beautiful fall weather, we are pleased to have just completed our 25th harvest at L’Ecole. The early quality indicators are strong. As we move into 2008, we plan to celebrate our 25th Anniversary all year long! In this issue, we looked over our timeline and listed some of the more significant items (on this page and continued on pages 2 and 3). For me, it is fun to dig in and try to highlight what I consider some of the most important milestones and accomplishments. The 1980s are unequivocally the Pioneer era. Megan’s parents, Jean and Baker Ferguson, founded L’Ecole No 41 in 1983. It operated as the third winery in Walla Walla and the 20th winery in Washington State. Their shared passion for wine and their belief in our unique viticultural region were self evident. Their first vintage of Merlot in 1983 won the only Gold Medal issued by the 1986 Pacific Northwest Enological Society. Megan and I moved to Walla Walla in 1989 to rescue the Ferguson’s retirement and I became winemaker and general manager. Just six wineries operated in Walla Walla at that time. During the 1990s the Walla Walla Valley emerged with an outstanding reputation for quality. L’Ecole No 41 produced our first Walla Walla Valley wines in 1993 – the first Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot and the first Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee. In 1997 L’Ecole became a partner in Seven Hills Vineyard, along with Leonetti Cellar and Pepper Bridge Winery, expanding the acreage from the original 20 to more than 170. Today L’Ecole is the single largest producer of unique terroir-driven wines from Seven Hills Vineyard. As the millennium rolled over there were still just 20 wineries in Walla Walla. Since 2000, national and international recognition for Washington State and L’Ecole No 41 has planted us firmly on the world wine map. L’Ecole’s share of the wine media and trade endorsements has been large. Fueled by great wine and subsequent great press, the Walla Walla Valley grew to more than 100 wineries, with more than 500 now in Washington State. I am proud to have helped the industry in the founding of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance and the creation of the Walla Walla Community College Center of Enology and Viticulture. We have successfully landed wines in the annual Top 100 for Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits. Due to our growing reputation for quality and consistency, Wine Press Northwest named L’Ecole No 41 “Winery of the Year” in 2004, a once-in-a-lifetime honor. Wine & Spirits has named us in their annual “Wineries of the Year” for six consecutive years, now including us in their Hall of Fame. Paul Gregutt’s new book, Washington Wines & Wineries, The Essential Guide, reports on the top 25% of Washington wineries, identifying us as one of the 13 “Leaders” in the industry. With a focus on quality, technological innovation and sustainable vineyard practices to build soil heath, the future for the Walla Walla Valley and for Washington State can only get even brighter. More on that in 2008.
Holiday Gift Giving
Not sure which of our wines is their favorite? Consider a L’Ecole No 41 Gift Card and let them choose! Order wine by December 13th for Christmas delivery via ground service to most parts of the U.S. Call for air service deadlines. Orders may be placed at www.lecole.com, email jaime@lecole.com or call Jaime at 509.525.0940. Walla Walla Valley Barrel Tasting
Barrel taste in the newly remodeled cellar and preview the 2006 vintages of Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee and Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee. Meet Paul Gregutt, author of the recently published and highly acclaimed book, Washington Wines & Wineries, The Essential Guide. Paul will sign books at the Schoolhouse on Saturday, 11am – 1pm. In the spirit of giving, fill L’Ecole No 41 library shelves with children’s books or make a donation to benefit local reading programs. The winery will match your generous donation and we’ll send you home with a L’Ecole No 41 bookmark. Last year we donated over $250. Thank you! New Wine Releases Walla Walla Valley and Single Vineyard Wine Releases
2006 Fries Vineyard Semillon
2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Semillon · Ice Wine
Apogee & Perigee Are Back!
2005 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee
2005 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee
Columbia Valley Wines
2005 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Columbia Valley Syrah
2006 recess red
Vins de L’Ecole Wine Club We are excited to announce our Winter 2007 Wine Club Selections!
Vin Select
Library Tasting
25th Harvest Anniversary Party
Calendar of Events 2007
2008
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