L'Ecole No 41 Chenin Blanc old Vine 2024

With distinctive aromatics of white peach, Granny Smith apples, honeysuckle, and flint, this dry Chenin is vivid and lively. On the palate, an explosion of flavors unfolds, showcasing stone fruit, magnolia, jasmine, and tangerine, offset by a remarkable note of salinity. The wine is snappy and interesting, carrying through to a flavorful and vibrant mouth-watering finish.

VINEYARDS:
Willard Farms, Yakima Valley, planted 1979
Upland Vineyard, Snipes Mountain, Yakima Valley, planted 1979
Phil Church, Yakima Valley, planted in 1979

• The 2024 growing season was healthy and moderately warm, allowing vines to recover from winter cold better than expected, resulting in normal yields in most locations. A warm spring and hot summer were followed by nearly perfect harvest weather, with temperatures cooling as harvest began. The prolonged hang time led to exceptional fruit quality, with wonderful balance, crisp acidity, and robust fruit expression.
• A mid-January freeze event brought sub-zero temperatures for an extended number of days. With no inversion, higher elevation sites showed a surprising level of bud damage. Most growers pruned to leave extra buds.
• The warm, dry spring helped resilient vines rebound, pushing more buds than expected. Additional pruning and aggressive shoot thinning were necessary. A slightly cooler May extended the period from bud break to bloom. Near-perfect weather during bloom set a healthy crop, though some sites exposed to lower temperatures had reduced yields.
• Summer was dry and hot, with two weeks over 100°F. Veraison was delayed due to excess heat shutting vines down. Congested canopies required increased leaf-pulling to avoid shading.
• Cool September evenings allowed for great hang time, with a steady and even harvest pace. There was no fall frost.
• The quality is outstanding, with ideal balance, color extraction, fruitfulness, higher acidity, and overall structure.

• Over 40 years of meticulous vineyard management and winemaking experience are the foundation of our quality and reputation for excellence. 
• The grapes were harvested in the cool morning hours and promptly delivered to the winery and gently pressed. 
• The juice was settled and transferred to a stainless-steel tank for a long, slow ferment at a cool temperature. Secondary fermentation was inhibited to preserve the bright acidity. 
• The wine was gently fined, cold stabilized, and filtered prior to bottling.

L’Ecole N° 41 is a third-generation family-owned, artisan winery located in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on our label.  Founded in 1983, we were the third winery established in the Walla Walla Valley.  We have become one of the most prominent and visible Walla Walla Valley wineries with national and international distribution.

L’Ecole is one of the most honored wineries in Washington State and has garnered national and international accolades over the years for producing superior-quality wines.  We are proud to be recognized by Wine & Spirits Magazine as a Top 100 Winery of the Year seventeen times.  In 2014, Decanter awarded our 2011 Estate Ferguson the International Trophy for Best Bordeaux Blend in the World!  In 2016, the 2013 Ferguson won the International Trophy for Best New World Bordeaux Blend from the Six Nations Wine Challenge.