L'Ecole No. 41

Jean and Baker Ferguson founded L'Ecole No. 41 in 1983 as a retirement project, making it the third winery established in the Walla Walla Valley. They chose to base the winery in the Frenchtown Schoolhouse, a building dating to 1915, and named the project in honor of both the schoolhouse and the French-Canadian pioneers who settled the surrounding region. What began as a personal passion project has grown into one of Washington State's most celebrated producers, now spanning more than 40 years of continuous winemaking.

• Founded 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson as a retirement project
• Third winery established in Walla Walla Valley
• Named for the 1915 Frenchtown Schoolhouse and the region's French-Canadian settlers
• Over 40 years of winemaking history at the same location

The winery transitioned to the second generation under the leadership of Megan Ferguson Clubb and her husband Marty Clubb, who serves as Owner and Managing Winemaker. This family continuity has been central to the winery's consistency and long-term vision. The operation now includes three tasting locations: the original Frenchtown Schoolhouse, the Heritage Wine Bar in downtown Walla Walla, and a tasting room in Woodinville.

• Second generation led by Megan Ferguson Clubb and Marty Clubb
• Marty Clubb holds the role of Owner and Managing Winemaker
• Three tasting locations across Washington State
• Classified as a third-generation family-owned artisan winery

L'Ecole No. 41 farms 74 acres of estate vineyards, including Ferguson Vineyard and Seven Hills Vineyard, both certified sustainable and Salmon Safe. The vineyards sit at elevations of 1,350 to 1,450 feet in the Walla Walla Valley AVA within the broader Columbia Valley. Soils include basalt-based substrates, loess, alluvial deposits, and mineral-rich glacial material. The climate is warm, dry, and sunny with cool nights; annual rainfall ranges from just 8 to 22 inches, and diurnal temperature swings can reach up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The winery also co-owns a share of the 180-acre Pepper Bridge Vineyard, planted in 1991, alongside Leonetti Cellar and Pepper Bridge winery.

• 74 acres of estate vineyards at 1,350 to 1,450 feet elevation
• Ferguson and Seven Hills vineyards are certified sustainable and Salmon Safe
• Soils include basalt, loess, alluvial, and glacial mineral deposits
• Diurnal temperature differential of up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit preserves natural acidity

The winery is known for ultra-premium Bordeaux-style blends characterized by structure, natural acidity, and strong aging potential. The three flagship red blends are Apogee, sourced from Pepper Bridge Vineyard; Perigee, from Seven Hills Vineyard; and the Ferguson Vineyard blend. The flagship white wine is Luminesce, a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Grapes grown across the estate range from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Syrah on the red side, to Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Grenache.

• Three flagship Bordeaux reds: Apogee (Pepper Bridge), Perigee (Seven Hills), and Ferguson Vineyard blend
• Luminesce is the flagship white, a Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend
• Wines known for structure, natural acidity, and aging potential
• Ferguson Vineyard 2011 won Decanter's International Trophy on its first release

L'Ecole No. 41 has earned consistent recognition across its four-decade history. The winery has been named to Wine and Spirits Top 100 Winery list seventeen times. The Ferguson Vineyard 2011 vintage, the first release from that site, was awarded Decanter's International Trophy, one of the most prestigious honors in international wine competition.

• Named Wine and Spirits Top 100 Winery seventeen times
• Ferguson Vineyard 2011 won Decanter's International Trophy on first release
• More than 40 years of recognized winemaking excellence
• Considered one of Washington State's benchmark Bordeaux-style producers