WHAT’S IN A NAME: L’ECOLE NOº 41
Nestled among the rolling hills of Walla Walla Valley stands L’Ecole Nº 41. But this is no ordinary winery. Its name evokes a bygone era when education and agriculture intertwined, setting the stage for the region’s thriving wine industry.
Imagine yourself transported back to the early 1800s. French Canadian fur traders with the Hudson’s Bay Company, pioneers with a spirit of adventure, settled in the valley. They brought with them not just dreams, but also a deep appreciation for wine. These hearty souls planted grapevines, their knowledge passed down through generations, whispering secrets of the soil and the sun. This area soon became known as Frenchtown. By the 1860s, the valley hummed with the rhythm of growth. Nurseries sprouted, vineyards flourished, and the first incarnation of winemaking in the Walla Walla Valley took root.
The historic schoolhouse itself whispered a story. Completed in 1915, hosting grades 1st through 6th, it had seen generations pass through its doors, their thirst for knowledge quenched within its walls. Eventually, it closed its doors in 1974. Fast forward to 1977. Jean and Baker Ferguson, a visionary couple searching for land to plant grapes, kept passing by the charming, abandoned schoolhouse in the quiet town of Lowden, once part of Frenchtown. The weathered building, known as the Frenchtown Schoolhouse, stirred an idea and dream within them. Instead of seeking land, they found a schoolhouse and started a winery. The third in the modern incarnation of the Walla Walla Valley wine industry and the 20th in Washington State.
Jean and Baker believed in Walla Walla and Washington State’s potential to make wines that rival the world’s finest. They focused on grape varietals they loved – Sémillon and Merlot – drawing inspiration from the great Bordeaux wines they enjoyed with meals and friends. From the history of Frenchtown and the schoolhouse emerged a name – a perfect blend of their French heritage, French-influenced wines, and the building’s legacy: L’Ecole Nº 41 – French for “The Schoolhouse” in school district Nº 41.
The name wasn’t just a clever moniker; it was a tribute. A tribute to the French Canadians who laid the foundation for viticulture in the valley. A tribute to the schoolhouse, a symbol of education and growth. Most importantly, it was a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Walla Walla Valley, where knowledge, agriculture, and wine continue to flourish hand in hand.
Today, L’Ecole Nº 41 stands as a testament to the valley’s rich history and Jean and Baker’s vision. As a family-owned winery across generations, L’Ecole Nº 41 has earned national and international acclaim, and its wines are now among the world’s finest. As you savor their wines, remember that each bottle carries a story – a tale of passion, perseverance, and the enduring bond between education, agriculture, and the art of creating something truly exceptional. So, raise a glass to L’Ecole Nº 41, where every bottle holds a legacy, and every sip tells a story.
