Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard will hold a Heritage Open Day on Saturday, April 6 from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
There will be a variety of stalls incorporating craft demonstrations, community and historical displays, sweets, craft, art, flowers, books by local authors, a vintage machinery display by Wauchope Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Club, FM Wauchope Community Radio and the Mid North Coast Astronomy and Science Centre.
Devonshire teas, a tasty barbecue, volunteer led homestead and grounds tours and an opportunity to taste the unique wines will compliment the day.
Live entertainment on the day includes:
- Sing Australia choir, capably led by Ann French.
- Khristina Joy and the Z Chords - a group of enthusiastic and talented singers and ukulele players.
- Team Zumba Krista, organised by Krista Gilen.
- The 'Five Shades of Grey' band.
- The Hastings District Highland Pipe Band.
- Susan Ashton and Tom McIlveen who are known as 'Spiral Time'.
- The Port Macquarie Bush Poets.
About Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard
The property which was established in 1859 is named after the Francis family, originating from England. Today, the 3.08 hectare site is classified by the National Trust and part of the PMHC Heritage Sites listing.
Walk through the 150-year-old preserved bamboo glade, Chinese symbol of welcome, and be amazed by the visually pleasing echoes of yesteryear on display. Experience the lives of pioneer men and women from the 1800s.
The Homestead, currently the oldest timber building in PMQ, houses a museum depicting early colonial lifestyles.
View a 400 year old family Bible, handcrafted model replicas of ships interpreting the life and adventures of vigneron George Francis, a rare shell collection of national significance and the medals and commendations from producing International award-winning wines in the late-1800's.
The well preserved outbuildings include The Dunny, Wash House and Kitchen, filled with authentic artefacts.
Connect with the last remaining fabric of the once prolific PMQ wine industry and the family who not only had one of the finest vineyards in the district, but also later pioneered the oyster farming industry on the Hastings River.
In a botanic setting, enjoy strolling through the traditional cottage garden and view the original rose, azalea and 150-year-old camellia. Admire the 28 varieties of fruit and nut tree, ornamental ponds with orchids and bromeliads, and rose garden containing the beautiful white 2010 Lachlan Macquarie Centenary rose.
A small patch of pineapples are grown in an area once covered with thousands of them. There are also prolific vegetable and herb gardens.
With an acre under vine, the three varieties of grape include Chambourcin and Villard Blanc. But it is the Black Isabella cuttings, believed to have come from vines at Major Innes property, that the Douglas Vale vineyard was established on in 1862 and which today still produce the famous Portabella fortified wine.
Location: 235 Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie, NSW.