Press

A new name. The same great energy. And even more to experience. The Columbus Natural Wine Festival is now Saucebox: A Midwestern Affair with Wine and Food. Returning to downtown Columbus on Sunday, October 12, the reimagined festival is offering more food, more wine, and more to explore.

The cheeky new name, Saucebox, is inspired by a Victorian term meaning “the mouth,” capturing the festival’s passion for bold flavors and exciting sips.

“Columbus was recently named one of America's next great food cities, Saucebox aims to prove it,” said Gregory Stokes, Saucebox creator and owner of Accent Wine and The Bottle Shop. “We’re serving up Columbus on a silver platter.”

After several successful festivals, Saucebox builds on what made the original event special — thoughtfully curated artisanal wines, beloved local eats, and a lively street party atmosphere — while expanding with a bigger vendor lineup, new interactive features, and a deeper connection to the Columbus community. The full vendor lineup and activity details will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year marks a fresh chapter and the start of something bigger, bringing together chefs and artisans who pair their best bites with curated sips of wines from around the world.

Tickets go on sale today, Tuesday, August 12, via Eventbrite. Early bird pricing is $55 through September 12, with regular admission priced at $75. The event will be held at 11 West Gay Street from 12–5 p.m.

Rock your tongue, tickle your taste buds, surprise your face.