Built to Last: L’Ecole’s New Era of Purpose and Precision
A Legacy of Learning, A Love of Wine
Tammy de Weerd - Spoken Wines
This will hide itself!
Built to Last: L’Ecole’s New Era of Purpose and Precision
A Legacy of Learning, A Love of Wine
We met Marcus Rafanelli on a warm June evening at Celebrate Walla Walla where he was pouring L’Ecole’s wines. We had tasted their wines before as we have been visiting the Walla Walla Washington wine region for decades—but also noticed a subtle change in their wines–a little brighter, rounder. He has been their winemaker since 2018, however, this was the first time we heard his story. The next night, we met Melissa Clubb–part of the third generation and their brand ambassador. Warm, articulate, and deeply rooted in the family legacy she married into. It was clear that this was more than a winery. It was a generational torch still being passed, still burning with purpose.
From Schoolhouse to Standard Bearer
Not every winery begins with a dream to make history. Some begin with a simple desire to do something meaningful. That was the case for Jean and Baker Ferguson, who transformed a weathered 1915 schoolhouse into what would become one of Walla Walla’s iconic wineries—L’Ecole No. 41. Jean was a teacher with a sharp mind for chemistry and a growing curiosity about winemaking. Baker, a seasoned banker, brought financial foresight and steady conviction. What began as a retirement project quickly evolved into a project well beyond that.
Soon, Jean’s son-in-law, Marty Clubb, left his engineering career to join the winery. First as an apprentice, then winemaker, and eventually managing owner, Marty elevated L’Ecole from beloved local winery to a respected name across the U.S. He also helped shape L’Ecole’s vineyard identity with estate-driven winemaking around flagship vineyards of Seven Hills and Ferguson. He did so shoulder to shoulder with fellow pioneers Rick Small of Woodward Canyon and Gary Figgins of Leonetti—founders of Walla Walla’s now-celebrated wine culture. Together, they fostered a collaborative spirit that still defines the valley today.
In 1983, they released their first wines—a Merlot and a Semillon—marking the beginning of a era.
The Precision Era with Marcus Rafanelli
In 2018, Marcus Rafanelli stepped into the role of winemaker, becoming only the fourth in L’Ecole’s history. But this was no ordinary hire—it was a homecoming. Years earlier, Marcus had walked into the same schoolhouse as an intern, fresh out of the Walla Walla Community College viticulture program.
Since then, he had traveled the world—from the Mosel to the Barossa—absorbing styles, refining technique, and discovering his voice. That voice, it turns out, is one of thoughtful restraint and deep precision. “When I walked into L’Ecole as an intern, it felt like stepping into history,” Marcus told us. “Now, I feel a responsibility to honor what came before—and to help shape what’s next.” Today, Marcus’s wines are purposeful and pure, from the estate blends of Perigee and Ferguson to the crystalline expression of Old Vines Chenin Blanc. And he’s not alone. Working alongside Marty, Marcus embodies the continuity that has always defined L’Ecole.
In 2018, Marcus Rafanelli stepped into the role of winemaker, becoming only the fourth in L’Ecole’s history.
Where Legacy and Vision Intersect
The beautifully restored schoolhouse still stands proudly on Highway 12—a visual anchor in the Walla Walla Valley. But more than a landmark, it’s a living symbol of what this winery stands for: education, evolution, and enduring values.
What struck us during our visit wasn’t only the wine. It was the way everyone spoke about legacy—with reverence, yes, but also with momentum. Marcus emphasized that he isn’t there to simply maintain tradition—he’s there to add to it. And that’s what makes L’Ecole’s story one we want to keep returning to. It’s not frozen in time. It’s moving forward—with purpose and precision.
