For my ‘official’ bio and high-res headshot downloads , click here. For my story, read on!

About Sarah Tracey

Certified sommelier, cocktail connoisseur, lifestyle expert, and educator—on a mission to help you savor and celebrate life’s most delicious moments.

Welcome to The Lush Life—where I bring over 15 years of expertise in wine, food, and hospitality to help you turn every day into a celebration, whether it's a major milestone or just a well-deserved Monday treat. From hosting an elegant multi-course dinner for a crowd to savoring a quiet evening with a perfect glass of wine and some decadent cheeses, I'll guide you in creating unforgettable moments with style, confidence, and ease.

I know what you're thinking… that doesn't sound like a real job. So, how did I get started in all this?

My journey into hospitality began humbly: cleaning spit buckets at a local winery (not exactly glamorous, but we all have to start somewhere, right?). Truthfully, I wasn't aiming for a career in food or wine at the time. I was chasing a singing career and needed a way to pay rent between concert gigs and recording sessions. Back then, my approach to wine was less than refined: I’d pick a bottle based on the cutest label and hope it was drinkable (sound familiar? P.S. I definitely don't recommend that method!).

Life, however, has a way of surprising you. After landing a waitressing job at a wine bar, I found myself enchanted by the world of wine. What started as a side job turned into a passion. I began to see wine as more than just a drink—it was a magical elixir, intricately shaped by geography, geology, agriculture, history, and gastronomy. I became fascinated by how it could transform the flavors of food, and how one sip could transport me across continents. That’s when I knew I had to learn everything I could about it.

The beginning of The Lush Life

The more I learned, the more I wanted to help my friends drink better. I quickly realized that not everyone wanted to spend their nights geeking out over The Wine Bible or binge-watching YouTube mixology tutorials like I did. But I knew I could take all that knowledge and distill it into practical, fun tips that were genuinely useful—without the snobbery you often get from so-called 'experts.' So, in 2014, I launched The Lush Life as a ‘drink-centric’ lifestyle blog. My early posts? An ode to screwcap bottles, a cheat sheet for pairing a $12 rosé with cheese, and a guide to matching every song on Beyoncé’s self-titled album with a different wine. Let’s just say, I’ve done things my own way from the start!

Fast forward to now…

After years of hard work refining my palate, tasting, and studying, I earned my certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and went on to become Beverage Director for Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City. I've also had the honor of being the resident wine expert and sommelier at Martha Stewart Living, and drinks contributor at The Food Network. (You can check out most of my published articles here).

Today, I travel the world visiting renowned wine regions, creating mouthwatering pairings, and developing cocktail recipes for major spirits brands. I’ve taught hundreds of virtual and in-person workshops on wine, mixology, spirits, cheese, chocolate, and charcuterie. You may have even seen me sharing my expertise as a media personality on news outlets across the country.

And now, I'm here to help you—whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a cozy date night, or ready to dive deep into the world of wine and spirits. My goal is to empower you to feel confident choosing wines, creating irresistible pairings, and mixing cocktails as bold and vibrant as you are—with the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Want to do a Virtual Tasting with me? Click here for more info!

Fun facts about me:

• My idea of ‘self-care’ is a solo Beyoncé dance party with a glass of rosé Champagne (try it, you’ll feel better!)

• If I could share a bottle with any celebrity, it would be a toss-up between Michelle Obama and Ina Garten

• Guilty pleasures: HGTV (I think I’ve seen every Property Brothers ever made), sheet masks, dips for dinner, consistently overspending at Target

• I’ve been featured in O The Oprah Magazine, People, The Food Network, Food & Wine, Town & Country, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, CheddarTV, and many other outlets (my mom thinks I’m famous now)

• On weekends you can usually find hanging out with my guitar and a glass of Syrah

• In 2021 I teamed up with my bestie to buy and renovate an 18th-century farm in the Hudson Valley… and you can stay there, and also get married there! Check out Black Walnut Farm

• I also spend a ton of time on Instagram— come say hi!

If you want to be the first to know about classes and tastings, virtual workshops, new articles, videos, and more, I’d love to bring all of that straight to your inbox!

Ready to pop the cork on some new knowledge? Here are a few posts to start with... Cheers!