2024 L'Ecole Old Vines Chenin, Yakima Valley, Washington

With expressive aromas of Asian pear, crisp Granny Smith apple, and honeysuckle, accented by subtle notes of starfruit and beeswax, this dry Chenin Blanc is both vivid and energetic. The palate bursts with layered flavors of lemon curd, magnolia blossom, and jasmine, balanced by a touch of flinty minerality. Bright and intriguing, the wine finishes with a mouthwatering vibrancy that lingers.

L’Ecole No 41 has produced this old vine, crisp, and aromatic Vouvray-style Chenin Blanc since 1987. The vineyards where these vines are harvested were planted in 1979, one of the few pioneering vineyards in Washington state.

One of my favorite things about L'Ecole (the schoolhouse wine) is that in spite of how much they've grown, they've maintained a small schoolhouse feel, never selling out to big corporate production or leaving the helm. Megan has kept her parents legacy, the dream and the success alive and thriving. Today when you walk into L'Ecole, you still feel like you are in a Mom& Pop shop and you can almost smell the potential of Washington wine as though it was their very first day, filled with all the excitement a future could hold. They specifically keep certain wines in local only or limited and winery only markets, this old vines Chenin is a perfect example of their pioneering spirit and a taste of past, present and future.

L’Ecole № 41 is a third-generation, family-owned winery located in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on our label. Founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson as a retirement project, and were the third winery established in the Walla Walla Valley. From our earliest days, they've held fast to the belief that Washington wines could rival the best of the Old World. Today, they are one of the most prominent Washington wineries in both national and key global markets. 

A Family-Owned Legacy

In 1989, the next chapter began when Jean and Baker’s daughter, Megan, joined the winery with her husband, they evolved from a Mom & Pop operation into one of the most esteemed wineries in the Pacific Northwest -all while preserving our family estate values. Today, both the second and third generations are actively involved in multiple aspects of the winery, reinforcing a tradition built to endure.