About

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
— Mary Oliver

Badlands National Park – South Dakota

I’m Elaine Luxton—writer, wine expert, photographer, gardener, and someone who still believes in the power of words to change how we see the world. I live in Washington State, where the beauty is wild and varied, vineyards tucked between basalt ridges, rivers that cut through orchard valleys, and skies that feel wide enough to hold every kind of story. It’s a place that continues to shape not just how I live, but how I write.

Drink In Life began in 2018 as a place to share what I was learning and living, stories and photos from vineyard visits, travel discoveries, meals that brought people together, and quiet moments worth remembering. At first, it was mostly about wine. And it still is, in many ways. But over time, this space has evolved—just like I have.

I’ve spent years immersed in the world of wine, earning certifications like WSET Level 3, American Wine Expert, and Oregon Wine Expert. I’ve walked vineyards in Washington, Oregon, California, France, Italy, and beyond, always asking questions, always listening. Sharing those experiences through articles that inform, inspire, and open a window into places and people, is something I’m deeply passionate about. I write to teach, but also to connect.

My love of literature has been a steady companion all my life. Books were the first place I learned how stories shape us, and now, I’m writing my own. I’m currently working on my first novel, the beginning of a series that unfolds inside the world of wine but explores so much more: climate change, ambition, betrayal, science, legacy, and the fragile line between what we grow and what we destroy. The fiction I write is grounded in reality, layered with emotion, and driven by the questions that keep us up at night. It’s deeply informed by the people I’ve met, the vineyards I’ve walked, and the truths that live in the soil and in us.

But this blog isn’t just about fiction or wine. It’s also about the everyday moments worth savoring. You’ll find recipes here, many inspired by my garden. You’ll find book recommendations, travel notes, interviews with winemakers and artisans, and reflections on what it means to live a creative life, especially one that started a little later than expected.

I believe in learning as a lifelong pursuit. In slowing down enough to notice. In sharing what we love, what we’re still figuring out, and what makes us feel something. As Eudora Welty wrote, “All serious daring starts from within.” That’s where I’m writing from now.

Whether you’re here to learn more about wine, a recipe, a novel update, or just a quiet moment of connection, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s keep drinking in life, one story at a time.

Elaine Luxton – Drink In Life Blog

{Full Disclosure: Some of the products and experiences I post about on Drink In Life have been provided to me free of charge and some blog posts are sponsored, which helps me keep the blog Ad Free.}