Interview
This interview is with Dag Johan Sundby, owner of Johan Vineyards. Dag grew up in Norway, where he went to school for marketing, served in the army, and played football. He came to the U.S. to do an internship in 2004 where he began to learn about the Oregon wine industry and he learned there was a property with grapes for sale. It was then that his family decided to invest in the property, and Johan Vineyards was born.
Dag moved with his wife to Oregon full time in 2008, where he became involved in the vineyard and winery completely. He described how his management style changed over the years, and spoke about what he looks for when hiring a member for his team. He shared how he values passion, honesty, and the ability to work in multiple aspects of the business.
Towards the end of the interview he spoke about what it means to him to have the Van Duzer Corridor AVA approved. Dag concluded with advice for newcomers in the Oregon wine industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on March 15, 2021 at Johan Vineyards.
Interview
This interview is with Morgan Beck of Johan Vineyards. In this interview, she discusses how she got into wine which stemmed from a variety of things— her parents being involved in horticulture, her experience in the restaurant business, tasting Oregon Pinot Noir, and traveling to South America being some of them. She discusses her first winemaking experience in Sonoma, first biodynamic winemaking experience, as well as how her time abroad has informed her understanding of wine. She then goes on to discuss why Pinot Noir, her vineyard philosophy, and her time at Johan. She then goes on to speak about her winemaking philosophy, why she believes in biodynamic farming, what she sees for the future of Johan, the Oregon Wine Industry, and offers advice to someone looking to enter the Oregon Wine Industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Johan Vineyards on July 1, 2019.
Interview
This interview is with Dan Rinke of Johan Vineyards. In this interview, Dan talks about how he got into the wine industry after working in the restaurant industry; he then went on to decide to go into winemaking and then specifically, viticulture. He speaks about biodynamics and sustainability, and how he ended up in Oregon at Johan, as well as the changes/growth he’s seen within it. Towards the end of the interview, Dan talks about Art and Science— his own side label that he started with his wife, which eventually evolved into wine and cider— and his hopes for that business. To end, he discusses his wine making philosophy, proudest accomplishment, and his perspective on the future of Johan, and the Oregon Wine Industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Johan Vineyards on July 1, 2019.
Interview photos
Oregon Wine History Archive 