WALLA WALLA, Wash. (July 10, 2023) – L’Ecole No 41, one of the founding wineries of Washington’s Walla Walla Valley and among the region’s most acclaimed and recognized wineries nationally and internationally, has appointed Ryan Pennington as Chief Operating Officer.
“I have known and respected Ryan for more than 15 years, having served with him on the boards of Washington Wine Institute and WineAmerica. His strategic experience in the wine industry will give him unique insights to help expand L’Ecole’s position as one of the most respected brands in the Pacific Northwest. His broad role in managing Ste. Michelle’s premium brands gives him great experience to help L’Ecole build a stronger wholesale business and expand all our direct-to-consumer channels,” said Marty Clubb, Owner and Managing Winemaker for L’Ecole No 41.
“I am incredibly honored to be joining this historic and iconic winery,” said Pennington. “Over the past 40 years, the family, starting with the founders, Baker and Jean Ferguson, and continuing with the next generation, the Clubb family, have built L’Ecole No 41 into one of the most renowned and respected wineries in the world. I look forward to working with the family and their incredible team to continually raise the bar in every aspect of the winery and to introduce L’Ecole No 41 to even more people across the country and around the globe.”
Pennington joins L’Ecole No 41 after ten years at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the largest wine producer in the Pacific Northwest, where he was most recently Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs. Prior to Ste. Michelle, Pennington served for five years as Communications Director for the Washington Wine Commission, the marketing agency representing all growers and wineries in Washington.
Pennington has also served on several industry boards including the Washington Wine Commission, the marketing agency representing all growers and wineries in Washington; the Washington Wine Institute, the public policy arm of the Washington wine industry; the Northwest Wine Coalition, the joint international marketing organization for Washington and Oregon wines; and WineAmerica, the national association of American wineries.
About L’Ecole No 41
Housed in the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse depicted on its label, L’Ecole No 41 has earned international acclaim for producing expressive, distinctive wines that reflect the unmistakable typicity of Washington State and the unique terroir of their Walla Walla Valley estate vineyards. Founded in 1983, L’Ecole No 41 celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In addition to Clubb, his wife, Megan, and their children, Riley Clubb and Rebecca Olson, are also co-owners and serve on the L’Ecole No 41 Board of Directors. For more information, please visit www.lecole.com.
