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NATCHEZ — Though the popular Natchez Food and Wine Festival is not until July, there’s a chance to get a taste of what is to come at the “Wine Downtown” event on March 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Natchez Food and Wine Festival’s newest event, Wine Downtown will take patrons to stamp their passport at 20 different shops in Downtown Natchez. Each will location will have a glass of wine or beverage and a small bite.

Event passports are $75 each.

The event starts at Conde Contemporary, 334 Main St., for passport pickup and from there begins a walk to A Gallerie, Arts District Studio, Brakenridge Furniture, Frankie’s on Main, Hallelujah Wine and Spirits, Kaelor and Co., Lower Lodge Antiques, Moreton’s Flowerland, Mother’s Natchez, Murray’s Market on Main, Natchez Coffee Company, Natchez Olive Market, Nest, Olivina Boutique, One of a Kind, Rise N Shine/Mile 363, Rolling River Reloaded, Shops at Kress and Wishes Bakery.

This event is made possible through ample sponsors including Pilar Wine Brokers, Gallo Winery, RNDC, Old Dominick Distillery, Cathead Distillery, International Wines & Craft Beer, Burg Wines, South to South Wine Importers, Steve Tonore & Associates and Fleur De LA Importers.

After the success of the 2024 festival, the Natchez Food and Wine Festival is once again partnering with Church Hill Variety for its second annual Preview Dinner to take place the following Saturday.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at Church Hill Variety Restaurant and Farm located at 13411 River Road in Church Hill, the home of “The Help” and “Get on Up” film director Tate Taylor.

The restaurant boasts an open kitchen with indoor and outdoor seating combined with a farm store stocked with grab-and-go meals, homemade preserves, produce, farm eggs and ice cream.

Tickets to the event are $125 each and include a dinner with featured chefs Taylor Bowen Rickett’s of Fan & Johnny’s in Greenwood, Chaz Lindsey of Pulito Osteria in Jackson, Joey Thompson of Moondog Makers & Bakers in Corinth and Caylen Caldwell of Wishes Bakery in Natchez. Wine and Cocktail pairings by Pilar Wines will be provided with each course as well as domestic beer.

Tickets to Wine Downtown and the Preview Dinner are now for sale at natchezfoodandwine.com.

The Food and Wine Festival’s main event, Visit Mississippi’s Tastings Along the River, takes place on Friday, July 25, with Chef Jay Ducote of Food Network acting as the emcee.

Ducote is most widely known for finishing as the runner-up on Season 11 of Food Network Star. He has also won on episodes of “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Superchef Grudge Match” and has appeared in “Chopped,” “Cutthroat Kitchen, “Masterchef” and more. He also aired a pilot of his own show “Deep Fried America” on the Travel Channel.

To learn more about this and other upcoming events of the Food and Wine Festival, visit natchezfoodandwine.com.