Top Washington Winery Looks to Next Generation

Founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson, L’Ecole No. 41 has become one of the most dominant wineries in the state of Washington. Much of the credit, however, goes to the second generation in this family business. Their son, Marty Clubb and his wife, Megan, have continued the effort and grown it to an award-winning $8 million per year enterprise.

And now the time has come for them to think about the third generation. Much as Marty and Megan were doing before they came to Walla Walla to take over the family business, their children are off chasing their own dreams. But Marty and Megan have reached out to advisors and begun the long process of succession planning and transition.

For all of our sakes, we look forward to another 33 years of this excellent Washington winery.

Read the Puget Sound Business Journal’s article on the family and the business here.  

Drew Steen is a business transactions attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP.  He represents both buy-side and sell-side clients in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments, joint ventures, equity co-investments and restructurings.  He also serves as regular corporate counsel for several closely-held and family-owned companies.  Drew can be reached via email at andrewsteen@dwt.com or directly at 206.757.8081.