PORT Macquarie’s historic Douglas Vale Homestead and Vineyard will be hosting their summer festival and open day on Saturday.
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The iconic spot will throw open the gates from 9am until 2.30pm with a host of things to see and do for people of all ages.
In the centre of Port Macquarie, Douglas Vale is a unique historic tourist attraction that has been developed by the local community to bring back and interpret the last remaining fabric of a successful wine industry of the 1800's.
140 years after George Frances purchased the first 8.1ha section of the property on what was then the "New England Road" in 1859, the conservation of the estate began, thanks to the formation and unrelenting dedication of a group of volunteers known as the Douglas Vale Conservation Group.
Their will be a treasure trove, bargain basement deals, music and entertainment, Devonshire teas, a sausage sizzle, homestead and garden tours, wine tastings, craft stalls and more at the open day, which starts at 9am and goes until 2.30pm.
In recent years since the "rebirth" of the property and its rescue from the wrecking ball, Douglas Vale have once again commenced producing a variety of wines which are for sale through the cellar door.
President Brian Buckett said he loves seeing people come and enjoy a walk down memory lane.
“We really enjoy seeing people come and enjoy the place. There are so many people who don’t even know the place exists,” Mr Buckett said.
“Douglas Vale is actually unique in Australia, because it is the only working vineyard and museum which is totally volunteer-run.
“We have a lot of volunteers and it wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for them.”
There are over 20 years of dedicated labour put into the vineyard by volunteers, and Mr Buckett said they are always looking for more people to help.
“We would love to gain more momentum,” he said.
“The open day is also a celebration of our volunteers, who make the vineyard so successful. They are the lifeblood of Douglas Vale.”
A combined homestead and garden tours will run every hour from 10am until 2pm, with tour guides located at the back door of the cootage directly opposite the cellar.
A raffle will be drawn at 2pm with prizes included a bottle of the vineyards famous Portabella Port, a mystery gift pack and a bottle of Cottage Rose and White Cockatoo wines.
Douglas Vale is open to the public on Wednesdays and weekends.