In conversation with Rex Pickett
A behind the scenes photo of interview with Rex Pickett about his latest book, Vertical, which is the Oregon Wine Press exclusive cover and feature story. The December issue will be available Monday at the same time the book will officially start shipping, though some copies of the book are already circulating around Oregon tasting rooms. For more insight into Rex, visit his blog at http://rexpickett.com/, and watch the video interview below . . .
Last summer I had the pleasure of working with a talented team at Stoller Vineyards for a lifestyle photoshoot to be used in a series of advertisements, multimedia/video productions, and general marketing material – http://www.stollervineyards.com/
It takes the coordination of many people to create a lifestyle shoot that looks and feels vibrant and relaxed. Dixie Huey (consulting G.M. at Stoller Vineyards) was integral to the planning, strategic focus, and coordination of all details. She was also able to balance her roles as ‘creative director/ water & wine fetcher/ housekeeping/ damage control’ as she explained in the behind the scenes preparation and execution of this shoot on her Trellis Wine Consulting blog:
http://trelliswineconsulting.blogspot.com/2010/08/diary-of-andrea-johnson-photo-shoot.html.
The ‘models’ were perfect: For lifestyle shoots I prefer to work with actors since creating real interactions among the group are essential for capturing candid moments. I’ve worked with Erik Nicolaisen, who is a professional actor based in L.A., for several advertising campaigns in California and was fortunate to coordinate this shoot with his trip to Oregon. His ability to put everyone at ease and joke with the crew set the scene, and the great wine and food also helped create a jovial atmosphere.
Wine industry folks will probably recognize the other ‘actors’ in the campaign:
Kerry Newberry (with printed sundress and straw hat) is a renowned journalist specializing in wine, food, sustainability and lifestyle, http://www.kerrynewberry.com/,
Andrea Slonecker (red sundress, dark brown hair) is the executive director of Portland Culinary Alliance and a culinary instructor, recipe developer, and food writer.
Blake Van Roekel (red top, black skirt, tire swing model with red hair) is a chef instructor at the Art Institute of Portland and Robert Reynolds Chef Studio, and owner of Good Keuken http://goodkeuken.wordpress.com/about/
Hans Koenigseder, an Alaska airlines pilot, loves Oregon wine and appeared in the Oregon Wine Board brochures and campaign in 2007.
Melissa Burr (winemaker), Grace Cargni and Emily Olds (hospitality) graciously acted their real roles at Stoller, and truly add to the warm environment at the winery.
Thanks everyone for making this a successful and fun shoot! To see more photos check out the selects here: http://bit.ly/Stoller_Lifestyle_Campaign
Emily Olds of Stoller Vineyards sets up a private tasting and picnic with a view overlooking the stunning estate vineyards at Stoller, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Couples enjoying the tire swing at Stoller Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Couples enjoying a private wine tasting and picnic at Stoller Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Couple enjoying a romantic picnic and wine tasting at Stoller Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Couple enjoying wine tasting at Stoller Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Couple enjoying private barrel tasting with winemaker Melissa Burr at Stoller Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Stoller hospitality director Grace Cargni arranges lunch & wine tasting at Stoller tasting room overlooking estate vineyards, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Couple enjoying wine tasting at Stoller Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Our books have arrived! A select group of wineries receive copies of Passion for Pinot just in time for the holiday 2008. Ten Speed Press launches the title nationwide March 2009.
Here’s a few tear sheets of our book:
Passion for Pinot retail cover
Oregon pinot noir spread, snow over Dundee Hills, Oregon
Harvest at Bergstrom Winery, Oregon
Seasmoke Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, California
Journalist Rusty Gaffney of the PinotFile, wrote this overview of our book, and was the first to interview us on the project, audio link to interview below.
“Photographers Robert Holmes and Andrea Johnson along with writer Jordan Mackay have accomplished the masterful task of creating a book that captures the spirit of Pinot Noir. To satiate my own passion for Pinot Noir, I had envisioned doing a similar project for several years but never found the time. Imagine how thrilled I was, then, to discover this beautiful book with breath taking photography of American Pinot Noir winegrowing regions and wine people. The hardcover book is more than a fancy picture book to put out on your coffee table and forget about. It is filled with pinotspeak and valuable information about the one grape that is uniquely capable of creating an almost religious passion among its devotees.
Andrea Johnson is a well-known freelance photographer specializing in wine and travel with many of her pictures featured regularly in prestigious publications. Robert Holmes is a renowned photographer and writer who has illustrated more than forty books, has worked for many of the world’s major magazines and twice was named “Travel Photographer of the Year” by the Society of American Travel Writers. Jordan Mackay has been a contributing writer for Wine & Spirits, Food and Wine, Gourmet, and Wine Enthusiast.
Following a foreword by noted wine writer, Eric Asimov, the contents weave a journey through the vineyards and wineries of America, stopping along the way to capture the essence of Pinot Noir. Chapters include: A Perfect Storm of Pinot, Terroir, A Year in the Vineyard, From Grape to Wine, and In the Glass. The book is currently available at multiple wineries in California and Oregon and will be available nationwide at bookstores in March of 2009.”
I spoke with Andrea and Robert at this year’s ¡Salud! Oregon Wine Auction where the book had its coronation. To listen to the recording…..“Passion for Pinot Photographers Interview”
Listen to a portion of the book here: