Andrea Johnson Photography

 

New Zealand Sustainable Wine

Are you curious why 95% of New Zealand’s wineries are certified sustainable?  We asked a selection of sustainable, organic and biodynamic winegrowers to share their personal inspirations.   This short video is the beginning of our work creating a documentary film about the impact of sustainable practices in the world’s best winemaking regions.

Stay tuned for additional stories and photos from those interviewed.   Here’s a few of my favorite quotes that we didn’t have space for in the shorter teaser video.

James Milton spreading biodynamic preparation 501 on vines, Gisborne, New Zealand

James Milton spreading biodynamic preparation 501 on vines, Gisborne, New Zealand

“It’s about intuition, imagination, and inspiration…” – James Milton

Groundcover between vines still vibrant with flowers in the fall, Ata Rangi, New Zealand

Groundcover between vines still vibrant with flowers in the fall, Ata Rangi, New Zealand

“Sustainability to me means approaching everything on a long term basis, looking into the future… the agriculture side, the winemaking side, the family side, the economic side” – Clive Patton, Ata Rangi

Clive Paton, founder, Ata Rangi, Martinborough, New Zealand

Clive Paton, founder, Ata Rangi, Martinborough, New Zealand

The bush block is very important, I know this because I can be overseas, in some of my favorite cities, and every day I’m thinking about the bush block, how many days will it be before I’m able to get back to the bush block, to be able to look after my trees and connect with the land……I need to be back in my own space looking after the things that might take 200 years to grow, … just to have this place that grounds you, keeps me sane. – Clive Patton, Ata Rangi

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The art of creating effective Wine Image Libraries

I’m regularly asked for tips by wineries, marketing folks, public relations firms, and wine associations how to create an effective image library.  Specific needs include utilizing photos on websites to inspire consumers to visit, in press releases to gain more editorial exposure & in advertising campaigns to increase awareness for the region.

In Cole Danehower’s presentation “Optimizing your Brand’s story”, he moderated a panel of journalists & PR agencies for winery specific marketing tips. Here’s a summary of quotes on the importance of photography: “Those with the best pictures win, if you’re only going to do one thing this year for your marketing, invest in photography & partner with a photographer that understands your brand and their style reflects your story” “Images are the new headline. 90% of info transmitted into our brain are visual, visuals transmit 60,000x faster than text, and photos are so easy to share.”

I’ve spent the past fifteen years creating over 100 image libraries for wineries & tourism associations, where my background as a photojournalist has helped me craft an impactful story through imagery. Magazine editors & designers have given me the following guidelines for many of my assignments, I’ve consolidated these tips to four main points:

#1 request – Sense of place photos. What does this mean? A photo of a vineyard can look like any other vineyard around the world unless care is taken to focus on the land’s unique aspects in the best light. It’s very challenging to tell a compelling, unique story in just one photo, but with reduced editorial space and attention spans this can be the critical deciding factor if you get coverage.

Mt. Hood is an iconic backdrop to many of Oregon’s wine regions, and with people in the landscape it helps the viewer visualize creating this experience for themselves.

This aerial photo of Penner-Ash winery & estate vineyard has been on two magazine covers, the opening spread in the Wine Spectator Oregon story, and countless other stories and marketing collateral:

Acura 2010_COVER WS Dec 07 feature #1examples of dramatic weather or lighting:

Aerial view over Soter Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Aerial view over Soter Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Early winter storm at Maryhill winery in the Columbia River Gorge, Washington

Early winter storm at Maryhill winery in the Columbia River Gorge, Washington

Harvest moon at Doubleback vineyard, Walla Walla, Washington

Harvest moon at Doubleback vineyard, Walla Walla, Washington

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Oregon Wine Press Cover & Feature story

“Going Live: Certification program sets science-based standards for greener, greater good” I’ve spent more time in vineyards around the world than any other area of the wine industry and really resonate with the efforts of the wineries to not only reduce impact the environment but improve the land – a teaser to a future documentary film project

Aug 2015 Cover photo

Aug 2015 Cover photo

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Top Chef pre-IPNC dinner at Penner-Ash winery

A memorable International Pinot Noir (IPNC) dinner at Penner-Ash winery, featuring dishes by the 2015 Top Chef winners to benefit children’s cancer association.

Penner-Ash pre-IPNC Top Chef dinner, 2015, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Prolific summer gardens at the entrance to Penner-Ash Winery

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Ron & Lynn Penner-Ash with the 2015 Top Chef winner Chef Mei Lin of Los Angeles and runners up Chef Doug Adams, Imperial & Chef Gregory Gourdet, Departure, of Portland, Oregon

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Chef Mei Lin & Chef Doug Adams picking a few items from the garden at Penner-Ash winery

Penner-Ash pre-IPNC Top Chef dinner, 2015, Willamette Valley, Oregon

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Washington Wine Commission award winning videos

Telly Awards logoI”m thrilled to share the news that ‘Our Story’ video about the history, people and terroir of Washington State wine just won a Telly Award! In the industries premier award for film and video productions “Our Story” was recognized from a field of nearly 12,000 entries from across the globe & awarded the Silver Telly – an honor that less than 10 percent of entries receive – in the Non-Broadcast Productions Travel/Tourism category.  Special thanks to Steve Warner & Chris Stone of Washington State Wine, and the creative talents of Dane Henry, Robert Holmes, & Tim Shisler, an amazing team to work with to tell the story of ‪#‎WaWine‬!

Here’s the consumer version of “Our Story”:

Washington State Wine: Our Story from Washington State Wine on Vimeo.

Here’s a few behind the scenes photos from our video campaign for the Washington State Wine commission. We’ve reunited the same team as the Noble Spirit documentary film: Tim Shisler/ Wit House Productions & myself as producers, Dane Henry/ Deep Roots Media as director / DP, and Bob Holmes as 2nd camera. We’ve also added Sean Haverstock to operate the RC Helicopter and 30 foot jib, and Bryan Liscinsky as 1st AC/ Timelapse.

Touring couple meets the winemaker & friends for outdoor wine event at Figgins Family Vineyard, Walla Walla

Touring couple meets the winemaker & friends for outdoor wine event at Figgins Family Vineyard

Dane Henry & I shoot shooting the lifestyle finale at Figgins Family Vineyard

Dane Henry & I shoot shooting the lifestyle finale at Figgins Family Vineyard

We’ve enjoyed brainstorming concepts to showcase the dramatic, natural beauty, welcoming spirit, and exceptional wine quality of the Washington wine industry. Special thanks for the Washington State Wine Commission – Stever Warner; executive director, Chris Stone; vice president of marketing & communications, Rob Anderson; marketing director, and Sean Sullivan, consultant – we’ve had a great time working with you and look forward to the next shoots this summer and fall.

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