Recognitions

Honors, milestones, and the stories behind them.

Premio Giornalistico del Roero: 39th Edition • Piedmont, Italy • 2026

In 2026, I was honored to receive the Premio Giornalistico del Roero, presented by the Associazione Premio Giornalistico del Roero, for my travel journalism about Italy’s Roero wine region, published on Drink In Life.

Established in 1987, the Premio Giornalistico del Roero recognizes journalism that celebrates the landscapes, wines, history, traditions, culture, and people of Roero. Each year, journalists from Italy and around the world are honored for work that helps introduce readers to this remarkable region of Piedmont through print, broadcast, and digital media.

In the official press release announcing the 39th edition of the Premio Giornalistico del Roero, the association described my recognition as “an unprecedented award for an American blog, specifically Elaine Luxton of Drink In Life.” Those words were both unexpected and deeply meaningful, particularly because they recognized my work alongside respected journalists from Italian and international media.

I never expected my first visit to Roero would lead here, and I remain incredibly grateful to the Associazione Premio Giornalistico del Roero for this honor and to Consorzio Tutela Roero for recommending my work. Most of all, I’m thankful to the winemakers, chefs, guides, historians, and local residents who welcomed me so generously and trusted me to share a small part of their remarkable corner of Italy.

Official Press Release

“…an unprecedented award for an American blog, specifically Elaine Luxton of Drink In Life.”

Read the official press releases: Premio Giornalistico del Roero – 39th Edition Press Release and Success for the thirty-ninth edition of the Roero Journalism Award

About the Collection

My first visit to Roero introduced me to far more than a celebrated wine region. It became an opportunity to discover the history, traditions, cuisine, villages, and people that give this part of Piedmont its unmistakable identity.

The articles below explore those experiences through the lens of slow travel, wine, food, and culture. Together, they tell the story of a destination that continues to inspire my work and remind me that the best travel stories are often found in the conversations, not just the places.

This collection will continue to grow with each return visit.

The Postcard Diary from Roero Series

An Invitation to Roero: Discovering Piedmont’s Hidden Heart — Part one of my postcard diary series, exploring the fragile balance, protected nature reserves, and rich biodiversity of the Roero hills.
A Language Lesson in Roero Wines — Part two, diving into the local wine dialects of the region’s prominent grapes, Arneis and Nebbiolo, written as part of your European study trip.
A Progressive Feast Through Roero — The final chapter documenting my culinary journey through vineyards, kitchens, and local artisans stretching from Santa Vittoria d’Alba to Castellinaldo d’Alba and Canale.

This page marks a few milestones along my journey as a travel writer, but there’s always another destination to explore and another story waiting to be told.

As Drink In Life continues to grow, I’ll update this page with future recognitions and the collections of stories behind them.