The historic Douglas Vale vineyard and homestead will throw open its doors as part of the Arts Mid North Coast Shine Festival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The week-long Shine Festival starts on April 22 with Douglas Vale night tour on Friday April 26, 6.30pm until 9pm.
As part of the festival, Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard volunteers will host tours of the beautiful property.
Tickets are limited to just 60.
A spokesperson said the night tour is titled light up our museum.
"Tickets are available from the cellar at Douglas Vale and cost $12," the spokesperson said.
"This includes a complimentary drink of wine, beer or soft drink, nibbles, an evening tour of the homestead and entertainment.
"The entertainment will be provided by Tom McIlveen and Susan Ashton, who will present a journey through the colonial times in Australia and will be told in poetry and song.
"It is titled Australiana and it will be performed in two acts."
Historic Douglas Vale dates back to 1859 when vigneron, George Francis, bought two parcels of land totalling 20 acres on what was then the New England Road.
He had prospected enough gold at Major's Creek diggings near Braidwood to buy the property, build the cottage for his family and start the vineyard with Black Isabella cuttings believed to have come from the vineyard of Major Innes' property at Lake Innes.
He had worked for Major Innes for three years, planting his vineyard, before going gold prospecting.
The Black Isabella grapes were imported from America.
George later purchased land to a total of 44.7 acres.
The property was named after George Francis' first wife, Margaret whose maiden name was Douglas. Her family originated from Scotland.
Douglas Vale developed into one of the finest vineyards in the district. Its wines were exhibited in Bordeaux in 1882, Amsterdam in 1883, Calcutta in 1884 and 1885 and in London in 1886, winning commendations and medals.
On the death of her father, in 1898, George's daughter, Margaret Wilson, continued to maintain Douglas Vale as a successful vineyard until the last vintage in 1918.
Tickets to light up our museum are limited to just 60 and cost $12 for adults, $6 for students, 14 years and under.
For more information contact 6584 3792.
Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard is at 235 Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie and is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 3pm.
Also making news:
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.