Andrea Johnson Photography

 

Wine Spectator Oregon Feature story 2019

I’ve been honored to capture the Wine Spectator feature story for Oregon since 2007, and each year proud and excited to see the coverage and accolades grow.  This years article starts off with ….

“Oregon is the most dynamic wine region in the United States right now.”  Tim Fish

Wine Spectator 2019 Feature opening spread, aerial over Colene Clemens estate vineyard.

Photo of Bethel Heights tasting room and Sam Tannahill of A to Z winery

Eminent Domaine’s Jeff Meader and his wife, Heather, with daughters Ava and Charley.

[Read more…]

Wine harvest romance vs reality – could you keep up?

An update from Salud 2018 auction – it was record a breaking auction and season raising $1,055,000 to provide healthcare and outreach services to the hardworking men and women of Oregon’s vineyards!  Here’s a copy of the edited video played during the auction

 

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I’ve spent more time in the vineyards with the hard working Hispanic crews for the past 15 year than capturing any other aspect of winemaking. And I’m constantly humbled, amazed, and inspired by the skill, speed, pride and dedication in their work which is both physically and mentally challenging, especially during the long days of harvest. Winemakers and aficionados know that great wine is made in the vineyard, and without great fruit and workers we wouldn’t have high quality wine that is an unique expression of the land – especially important for terroir driven pinot noir.

In the toughest of conditions the crews have welcomed me to document their work in close proximity with warm smiles, laughter and admirable hospitality. This year I decided to add an extra challenge by running alongside them with a small image stabilized camera. Only for short bursts of time could I attempt to keep up – they are paid by the bucket and really hustle running with five gallon buckets of grapes each weighing 18-22 pounds, up and down steep vineyard slopes!

This is my tribute to the crews that work tirelessly in the vineyards during harvest.

I hope you’ll join me in supporting ¡Salud! | The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction, whose proceeds provide preventative, clinical, dental healthcare to seasonal workers who may not otherwise have access…. although the auction is sold out this year you can still donate here: https://saludauction.org/contribute/

A special thanks to the crews at Patricia Green Cellars (featured workers JC Chencho Juarez, Miguel Alva & José Pacheco), the Results Partners teams (overseen by Daniel Fey and Rob Schultz) at Résonance and Fairsing vineyards (featured workers at the bins Joel Elias Flores and his father Don Isidro, 76 years old), and the countless workers whose names I couldn’t capture, and to Robert Holmes working in collaboration capturing these slow motion clips, finessing the edit, and in joining me each dawn to capture this footage. #wvharvest2018

Pinot Noir harvest at Fairsing Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Harvest at Fairsing Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley Vineyard pinot noir harvest, Oregon

JC – Chencho Juarez with bin of pinot noir at Patricia Green Cellars Oregon

Don Isidro, 76 years old, managing fruit bin quality control at Fairsing Vineyard, Oregon

Cover and feature story for Oregon Wine Press Aug 2018

“Breaking down walls – Mexican-Americans build up community with mentorship.”

Cover & Feature story Aug 2018

Loved collaborating with this inspirational trio to capture photos for this months cover & feature story for Oregon Wine Press. Over the past 15 years I’ve been fortunate to work closely with many Hispanics in the wine industry, all of whom have gone out of their way to share kindness, hospitality, and incredible work ethic for the projects I have been fortunate to capture for photo and video stories.

Neal D. Hulkower (fellow Northwestern alumni) wove together wonderful personal narratives with their visions for the future – click link below to read the feature. There are few causes I feel more strongly about than appreciating and rewarding the talents of those who labor tirelessly in the vineyards.

 

Jesús Guillén, Sofía Torres McKay and Miguel Lopez are “forming an organization to increase appreciation of these skilled laborers, helping them overcome challenges to realize their ambitions.” and are …. “eager to draw attention to the vineyard workers, the majority of whom are Hispanic desiring a chance to advance.”

 

Sofía Torres suggests, “Next time you open a bottle of wine, recognize not only the owner or fabulous winemakers but also the amazing work our vineyard stewards do in the valley for us to grow phenomenal wines: wave at them ¡Gracias!”
https://www.oregonwinepress.com/breaking-down-walls