Douglas Vale Historic Homestead & Vineyard is the only volunteer run property of it’s kind in Australia.

In 1995 a Conservation Group was formed to ‘rescue’ the homestead and vineyard from vandalism and disrepair. Our aim is to continue to preserve this iconic site as a working museum and vineyard for future generations.

Self guided tours of the Museum & Grounds as well as Wine Tastings & Cheese Platters:
Wednesday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Group Tours, Functions & Wedding or Wedding Photography hire by Arrangement.

The homestead and its curtilage are classified by the National Trust of Australia and it is included in the Port Macquarie/Hastings Council list of Heritage sites.

We are a not for profit organisation run totally by volunteers. Douglas Vale welcomes new volunteers so if you have some free time please consider dropping in to see us.

HERITAGE
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.

When Margaret Wilson died in 1932 the ownership of Douglas Vale then passed to her daughter, Margaret Ethel Isabella Dick, the widow of Earnest Dick. His father had been responsible for establishing the oyster farming industry on the Hastings River. Margaret Dick was joined by her youngest son, Patsy, who remained living in the homestead after his mother’s death. In later years the State Government progressively resumed the land, mainly for educational purposes.

TAFE as the new owner of the property, was unable to prevent the vandalism that occurred following Patsy’s death in 1993.

As a response to the decision by TAFE to demolish the property, The Douglas Vale Conservation Group was formed in 1995.

Only approximately 4.1 acres remains of the property today. The homestead is the oldest remaining timber house in the Hastings Region and with the out buildings, represents the last remaining fabric of the pioneering wine industry of the 1880’s. There is an amazing collection of family memorabilia which has been donated by family members and is on display in the homestead. The vineyard is the oldest in Port Macquarie and in the late 1880’s it was the largest.