SoundBites Food & Wine Festival
Featuring celebrity chef Miguel Maestre & headline performers Hindley Street Country Club
Saturday 28 March 2026 – Newcastle Racecourse
A festival built around food, wine, storytelling and entertainment, SoundBites brings the Hunter together for a day of eating, drinking and celebration. Guests can explore leading Hunter wineries, boutique microbreweries and distillers, enjoy live chef demonstrations with Miguel Maestre alongside Hunter chefs, and hear from brewers and winemakers during hosted tasting sessions.
The day also features the Winemaker tastings, eating competitions, grape stomping and interactive festival moments, before building to a headline performance from Hindley Street Country Club. Guests can also elevate their experience with the signature Miguel Maestre Trackside Luncheon.
⏺️ Please note there will be no actual horse racing taking place on the day.
Program & Sessions
MIGUEL MAESTRE LUNCHEON
Join celebrity chef Miguel Maestre for an intimate, flavour-packed dining experience set against the beautiful trackside backdrop. Enjoy a bespoke menu crafted by Miguel and the NJC culinary team, perfectly paired with premium wines from Hungerford Hill, before watching Miguel bring the energy with a live cooking demonstration.
Includes:
– Full festival access
– Live cooking demo with Miguel
– Premium curated menu
– Wine pairing from Hungerford Hill included
WINEMAKER EXPERIENCE
Step inside the Courtyard Room for a more intimate, story-driven tasting session hosted by the region’s winemakers and brewers. Enjoy a curated flight, learn the craft behind every pour, and savour a beautifully paired grazing box created by our team.
Includes:
– Guided tasting with local makers
– Hosted storytelling
– Food pairing/grazing box
– Small-group format (max 100 guests)
100% donated to Ronald McDonald House
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
SoundBites delivers a full day of music and festival fun, headlined by global sensation Hindley Street Country Club with live beats from Junkyard Beats. Between sets, guests can join the action with eating competitions, the grape stomping arena and a personalised Hat Bar experience.
Includes:
– Hindley Street Country Club live performance
– Live music from JunkYard Beats
– Eating competitions
– Grape stomping arena
CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS
Hosted by celebrity chef Miguel Maestre, the chef stage showcases some of Newcastle’s favourite venues including The Prince, Crystalbrook Kingsley, QT Newcastle, Signal Box and Cakeboi, each presenting their signature dish and celebrating the best of local produce.
Includes:
– Live demonstrations hosted by Miguel Maestre
– Six Hunter-region chefs
– Signature dishes and cooking techniques
– Insights into local ingredients and produce
WINEMAKER TALKS
Meet the makers behind the wines during hosted Winemaker Talks running throughout the day. These relaxed 15–30 minute sessions offer tasting insights, vineyard stories and a deeper look into the craft behind the region’s wines.
Includes:
– 15–30 minute hosted sessions
– Insights from winemakers and producers
– Guided tastings and flavour notes
– Stories from the vineyard to the glass
Ten (10) x small tasting vouchers + a SoundBites tasting glass.
Yes – mix, match or revisit favourites.
Only if they hold an off-premises or off-premises function licence.
Yes, family friendly. ID required for alcohol.
Yes, extensive free parking for guests and vendors.
Contact Us
Phone: 02 4961 1573
Email: events@njc.com.au