One Voice: L’Ecole № 41 a Walla Walla Family-Owned Legacy
Established in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson, L’Ecole № 41 stands as one of the pillars of the Walla Walla Valley. Originally envisioned as a retirement project, it was only the third winery founded in the region. Today, the third-generation, family-owned estate operates out of the historic Frenchtown School, an iconic building that remains the centerpiece of the winery’s identity and label.
In case you didn’t know, the word L’Ecole is the French word for School. And driving up to the L’Ecole No. 41 winery, that’s exactly what you see. A schoolhouse. That vibe continues inside. Wooden staircases, walls of books, and beautiful murals. But there is also wine. Lots of wine.
The historic Frenchtown Schoolhouse was originally built as a log-cabin school back in 1870 along the Walla Walla River. The winery name; “L’Ecole No. 41,” French for “the school” in district 41, honors the French-Canadian settlers who pioneered viticulture in the Walla Walla Valley in the 1800s.
We talked with the team at L’Ecole about the winery, its founders, its history, and how much they want to play in the national account ballpark.
A Conversation with L'Ecole No. 41 Team
8 questions
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
Please regale us with a brief story about the winery and its history?
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamWell, L’Ecole was founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson as a retirement project.
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
Stop right there! I love that. Go on.
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamL’Ecole No. 41 quickly became a visionary leader in Washington wine and one of the founding estates of Walla Walla Valley. Remarkably, we were the third winery in Walla Walla and only the twentieth in the state of Washington, helping to lay the foundation for the region’s now-renowned wine industry. From our very first vintage, a Merlot that earned the only Gold Medal awarded by the 1986 Pacific Northwest Enological Society, we established a tradition of excellence that continues today.
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
Tell us a little more about the schoolhouse the winery calls home?
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamL’Ecole is deeply rooted in the historic Frenchtown Schoolhouse, where heritage meets innovation. Today, the third generation, Riley and Rebecca Clubb along with Melissa Clubb as Brand Manager, actively shapes the winery’s strategy and vision, ensuring that each decision reflects both our family’s legacy and a commitment to sustainable, world-class winemaking.
L'Ecole No. 41 Frenchtown Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley
This Sauvignon Blanc is fermented slow and cool, split roughly 50/50 between stainless steel and neutral French oak to preserve aromatics while adding a sleek texture. It's a vibrant, food-friendly white from one of Washington's most respected family-owned, third-generation producers.
L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon, Columbia Valley
A benchmark Washington Semillon (with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc) whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in French oak, typically a small percentage new, with partial malolactic fermentation and lees stirring to build texture and complexity. L'Ecole has championed this variety for over 40 years, drawing on long-standing partnerships with old-vine Columbia Valley sites.
L'Ecole No. 41 Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Yakima Valley
Produced in a dry, Vouvray-inspired style since 1987 from old vines planted in 1979 at sites like Willard Farms, Upland, and Phil Church. Fermented long and cool in stainless steel with secondary fermentation blocked to lock in bright acidity, it's a hallmark wine for the winery and a benchmark for Washington Chenin.
L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Sourced from elite Columbia Valley vineyards including L'Ecole's Certified Sustainable and Salmon-Safe Estate Seven Hills and Estate Ferguson sites, the wine is hand-harvested and gently fermented in small stainless-steel tanks with hand punch-downs and gravity-assisted movement. Aged 18 months in small oak barrels, it's recognized as one of Washington's flagship expressions of the variety.
L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Drawn from a deep roster of mature Columbia Valley vineyards averaging more than 20 years of vine age, hand-harvested and gently fermented with hand punch-downs in small lots. Aged roughly 22 months in a carefully selected blend of oak barrels (about 25% new), it delivers a classic profile of firm structure and dark expressive fruit.
L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
A terroir-driven blend pulled from four distinct Walla Walla soil types: fractured basalt at Estate Ferguson, ice-age silts at Pepper Bridge, wind-blown loess at Estate Seven Hills, and the cobblestones of The Rocks, all from Certified Sustainable and Salmon-Safe vineyards. Aged about 22 months in small French oak barrels (around 35% new) for an old-world structure and polished tannins.
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
We met with Marty Clubb when we were there last year. It was he and his wife Megan who had a tremendous hand in really growing the property.
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamUnder the guidance of Megan Ferguson and Marty Clubb, L’Ecole expanded its estate vineyards and became a benchmark for Washington wine, earning repeated national and international recognition. Highlights include seventeen appearances on Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries list, the Decanter International Trophy for Best Bordeaux Blend in the World, and the Global Fine Wine Challenge award for Best New World Bordeaux Blend.
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
Wow! The winery is also very much committed to sustainable farming.
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamOur vineyards, Estate Ferguson and Estate Seven Hills, are sustainably farmed, LIVE and Sustainable WA certified, and Salmon Safe. Every bottle reflects our commitment to vision, artistry, and stewardship, and showcases the unique terroir of Walla Walla Valley.
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
How does making wine in Washington differ from other winegrowing regions?
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamWashington State’s combination of long, sunny days, cool nights, and diverse soils allows for precise ripening and complex flavor development. Unlike many warmer regions, these conditions give us both intensity and freshness. Sustainability is deeply integrated into vineyard practices, and the cooperative culture in Walla Walla ensures the region thrives collectively—making wine here as much about community as terroir.
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
Now let’s get down to business. Our commitment to the Washington State Wine Commission’s goal of getting into National Accounts. One thing we truly love is the “One Voice” you all embrace.
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamAt L’Ecole No. 41, we truly live the principle of “One Voice.” Walla Walla Valley’s growth as a nationally recognized wine region is a story of collaboration, not competition. Early pioneers in the valley understood that to succeed, they needed to show up for each other—pouring together at national events, judging competitions, supporting regional initiatives, and sharing knowledge.
- TMThe Mark Wine Group
Yes. The collaboration is real.
LNL'Ecole No. 41 TeamOur wineries built the market collectively. Rather than waiting for recognition, producers traveled extensively, introduced our wines to new markets, and developed relationships with distributors, sommeliers, and buyers. This cooperative spirit helped Walla Walla establish a strong national presence, bottle by bottle, and continues to define the region today.