LOCATED within the Port Macquarie town centre area the Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard is an operating vineyard like no other.
Established originally in 1859 the property is the only totally volunteer operated working vineyard and museum in Australia producing a range of individual, distinctive wines – and is the last remaining remnant of a wine industry that flourished in the 1800s in Port Macquarie in the area that is now the town centre.
The wine produced at Douglas Vale from the Isabella vines won medals and commendations at exhibitions in Bordeaux (France), Amsterdam, Calcutta and London in the 1880s.
Douglas Vale was saved from complete demolition in 1995 when a conservation group was formed to restore and develop the property as a living monument to its founder and the Port Macquarie wine industry of yesteryear.
The present vineyard initially established from the original 150-year-old Isabella vine stock, was supplemented with additional selected grape varieties, mirrors the development, format and area of the original vineyard established by George Francis.
Douglas Vale now has a stable of six distinctive individual wines produced from the working vineyard lovingly tended by the members and volunteers who give of their time and talents to preserve and maintain this living part of history.
Visiting Douglas Vale is to take a step back in time and learn about the history of this unique property, visit the museum dedicated to the families associated with its establishment and operation.
Then visit the cellar door and sample the exclusive wines that are produced from the Douglas Vale vineyard. The wines produced at Douglas Vale are only available for purchase from the cellar door and all proceeds from the sale of these support the maintenance and further development of this heritage property.
The Douglas Vale facility hosts several open days each year and is the venue for the bride wanting a wedding ceremony with a difference or to have the wedding photographs taken in different areas within the property.
In addition the facility is available for personalised functions and group tours, lunch and morning teas by prior arrangement.
Douglas Vale Conservation Group membership is open to people with an interest in the preservation of our heritage and history to become part of the family volunteering and supporting the on-going development and operation of this very individual and unique vineyard and museum.
Property tours, cellar door museum are open from 10am till 3pm every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Why not pay them a visit and experience this microcosm of history personally.
