It'd be perfectly reasonable for any large events in the Hill Country this July to cancel and refocus, but the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival is putting its revelry to good use. Preview Week, which runs from July 21-27, was initially a week of summer programming to turn up the heat before the recently revamped October festival; now, it'll be a fundraiser for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, created to respond to the flooding over July 4 weekend.

All ticket and event proceeds — 100 percent — will be donated to the fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. This all-purposes nonprofit gave $6.8 million in grants to nonprofits in 2024 and also awards scholarships for students in the region. It created the Flood Relief Fund to support rescue, relief, and rebuilding in Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort.

“The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival is, at its heart, a celebration of the Hill Country community — and in times like these, we all pull together,” said Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jim Mikula in a press release. “By donating all Preview Week proceeds to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, we’re sharing the spirit of care and compassion of the very wineries, farms, and families who make this region so special.”

Although Preview Week is organized like a festival, tickets can be purchased à la carte, enabling attendees to pick and choose the most interesting events to them. There are eight events to consider (not counting one that has sold out):

• Women for WineSense, July 21: A wine tasting with large bite pairings and discussion at Italian restaurant Alla Campagna with Women For WineSense, a winemakers and enthusiasts collective that hosts educational and social wine events and offers scholarships for women in wine-related studies. $75.
• The White House Dinner, July 22: This sold-out event at Becker Vineyards recreates a White House dinner menu from 2004 during the presidency of George W. Bush, which featured Becker Vineyards' 2002 Cabernet Reserve.
• Shuck, Shake & Sip (21+), July 23: This cocktail mixer at Dietz Distillery serves up martinis and oysters during a fantasy trip to Martha's Vineyard. There will be live music and a cash bar — but the first martini is included. $50.
• Tallow & Vine, July 24: Meat-lovers are invited to a "mingle-style dinner" by Chef Hunter Huffman of Mesquite at the Warehouse and winemaker Rarig Ross of Ferris & Fletch, held at Ferris & Fletch. There will be five "carefully curated" bites at this live fire event, with wine pairings. $75.
• Slate Theory Silent Disco, July 25: Dancers at Slate Theory Winery will get headphones, allowing them to choose from live DJ channels. Wine and late-night snacks remind guests what festival they're attending. $50.
• The Elephant in The Room Boozy Brunch, July 26: A party at the new Saloon at The Albert Hotel features boozy frosties, brunch bites, and tunes by Austin's DJ Cassandra. $45.
• Fredericksburg Quesöff, July 26: This family-friendly competition at Grand Central at Milam Lawn will determine which local chef makes the best queso. Guests will taste and vote, plus enjoy margaritas and beer. $25.
• Halter Ranch Brunch, July 27: Halter Ranch’s Hill Country Tasting Room hosts a brunch featuring 100 percent organic wines and three food courses. $100.
• Closing Party, July 27: Argentinian restaurant El Quincho sends attendees off with flame-grilled tapas, cocktails, beer, and wine. $50.

The press release thanks the above hosts, venues, entertainers, and food providers for in kind donations.

If attendees who add Preview Week to their calendar in the interest of supporting the fundraiser fall in love with the festival, they'll be supporting the Hill Country when they return in future years. The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival is a nonprofit that is organized by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, ultimately benefiting other local nonprofits and surrounding culinary, wine, and agriculture businesses.