Merewether Beach and the thrilling Surfest final will once again provide the perfect setting for a celebration of the Hunter’s best wine and food on March 21 and 22.

The annual Wine and Waves Festival is in its third year and is set to be bigger and better than ever with participating wineries including Margan Family Wines, Robyn Drayton Wines, Hungerford Hill and McWilliams Mt Pleasant, among others.

Two of the region’s most respected restaurants – The Verandah Restaurant and Bistro Tartine – will feature once again and will be offering signature dishes that can be washed down with a glass of Hunter wine or beer.

“It’s a great opportunity to have the best chefs in the Hunter cooking for you at very reasonable prices,” said Bistro Tartine chef Mark Hosie.

“It’s also an opportunity to support local restaurants and produce.”

Local gourmet food producers who will be attending include the Hunter Valley Cheese Company and A Taste of the Bush.

Multi-cultural cuisine will also be available as well as market stalls offering handmade jewellery, woven Mexican textiles and surfing photography.

While mum and dad enjoy a meal children can also have fun in the “kid’s zone”, which will feature a range of supervised rides and activities.

“What better way to experience the Hunter’s fantastic food and wine than sitting against the backdrop of one of Australia’s greatest surfing events!,” said Tracy Kearney from Eclipse Media and Events, which is organising the festival.

“Wine and Waves has the potential to, like Surfest, become a hallmark event for the region.”

A weekend of ... 

•The Best Hunter Valley wines • Food from Newcastle’s top restaurants
• Gourmet produce and products • Live entertainment
• Market stalls • Kid’s play zone

All set against the backdrop of the region’s best beach, Merewether

Event Overview

Through Surfest, the Wine and Waves Festival presents a showcase of fine wine and cuisine from leading restaurants in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

Although originally created as an additional attraction to Surfest, in 2008, its second year of operation, Wine and Waves established itself as an independent and high profile cultural festival for inner city Newcastle.

Whilst food and wine events are not unique in the Hunter, Wine and Waves provides a fresh approach to the traditional food and wine event in a fantastic location.

Against the backdrop of one of the region’s best and renowned beaches, Merewether, the Wine and Waves Festival provides an unparalleled ambience in which to enjoy all that is great about the Hunter’s food and wine.

Wine and Waves is an event that appeals to the general public as well as the ‘discerning traveller’.

Whether visitors are interested in exceptional food, gourmet products and treats, sampling fine wines, browsing market stalls or sitting back and relaxing to great music, there is something for everyone at Wine and Waves.

The festival will promote a fun and family atmosphere with a huge ‘Kids Zone’ supplied by high quality amusement operators, Megamania.  Located just outside the licensed area, the Kids Zone will be fully enclosed with all amusements supervised by trained and professional staff.  A host of rides and activities are available for kids of all to ages enjoy while Mum and Dad enjoy a relaxed lunch with the vista of Merewether Beach behind them.