This will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the planting of the heritage listed bamboo. This was planted in 1868 as the entrance to the homestead. It is a Chinese symbol of welcome.

The day promises not only informative tours of the homestead and grounds, wine tastings, delicious food and amazing entertainment there will be a great variety of things to see and buy.  All this and more for a gold coin entry donation!

Life member of Douglas Vale, Ian Goulding, will amaze visitors with his exhibition of timber model ships. 

Titled “Wine Merchants and Mariners“, these models  tell their own unique story of the ships which entered the harbour here in early days. Ian has always been a great asset to Douglas Vale and three of his models are permanently on display in the homestead.

Other loyal contributions to our open days have been made by Wendy Edna Linfield and Kerry Burns.  All members of the Port Macquarie Art and Craft Centre, they have displayed their skills at Douglas Vale over the past three years each open day. Wendy’s pottery, Edna’s cards and Kerry’s leatherwork will be there for all to see.

The Hastings Photography Group will stage a photography exhibition and provide details of their activities to any interested visitors.

Sue Baker, a local Port Macquarie author, who wrote “The Pobblebonk Earth Detective Club” will be there to run a children’s workshop on her book which is educational, informative but most of all fun.

Two local authors, Michael Davis and Desley Pulmear, will be selling personally autographed books from their amazing collections.

Westport High School, our own neighbours, will be holding a stall organised by their P&C. They will be selling recycled shopping bags made from the material from their old school uniforms and other recycled items.

There will also be a promotional stall from the Port Macquarie/ Hastings U3A who will be holding enrolments for their upcoming courses on January 22 at the U3A Centre at St Agnes Village.

Landcare will promote their various activities and have a variety of native plants for sale.

The Backa Mid North Coast food stall will be selling tasty cheeses and processed meats, which are a most suitable accompaniment to the Douglas Vale wines.

Gill Kenane will also be there with her craft items, fruit and vegetables and plants.

Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard is open every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday for tours and wine tastings between 10am and 3pm.

It is located at 235 Oxley Highway in Port Macquarie, between Westport Primary and Westport High Schools.

The homestead is the oldest timber house in the Hastings region and with the outbuildings, it represents the last remaining fabric of the pioneering wine industry of the 1800’s.

It is unique in that it is the only one of its kind run entirely by volunteers in Australia. It is classified by the National Trust of Australia and is included in Port Macquarie-Hastings Council list of Heritage sites.

All funds raised at the open day will be used to interpret, maintain and preserve the property for future generations.

The summer open day is on January 20 from between 9.30am and 2.30pm.