Andrea Johnson Photography

 

My Top 50 photos slideshow 2015

As the year comes to a close, I always savor the time to reflect on the journeys from the past year. Trips that are a whirlwind while they unfold, but experiences that reverberate long after the travels. 2015 was a year of many spiritual encounters: Peru, from the breathtaking Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca & vibrant Latin American cultures, to the sacred Buddhist dances and monasteries throughout the country, to a trek up to Jumulhari base camp and the 16,200 foot pass to place prayer flags. Japan was a completely different immersion into Buddhist culture of the meditative temples and onsen (hot springs) in Kinosaki, Kyoto, Nara, & the bustling city of Tokyo. After six weeks of SE Asia, I returned home briefly then began an assignment for the New Zealand wine growers association on sustainable vineyard practices, creating a video and photo essay, and continuing to focus on those stories when returning home to wineries in Oregon & Washington.


2015 top 50 photos Slideshow – Images by Andrea Johnson

If you’d like to view the slideshow full screen on your computer, click the full screen icon on bottom left menu bar, captions on top left of screen ….) On an iPhone or iPad, this slideshow defaults to html, best viewed horizontally, captions can be seen by clicking ‘i’ button.

Rainbows, snow capped peaks, and golden vineyards in Washington Wine Country

Les Collines Vineyard with snow capped Blue Mountains in background, Walla Walla, Washington

Les Collines Vineyard with snow capped Blue Mountains in background, Walla Walla, Washington

Golden vines at Figgins Family Estate Vineyard, Walla Walla, Washington

Golden vines at Figgins Family Estate Vineyard, Walla Walla, Washington

Rainbow over golden vineyards, Red Mountain AVA, central, Washington

Rainbow over golden vineyards, Red Mountain AVA, central, Washington

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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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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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