The historic Douglas Vale homestead
Tucked just off the highway in Port Macquarie, NSW, a volunteer-run winery is preserving history, pouring wines and building community with every vintage.
On any given week, around 30 volunteers come together to keep Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard in Port Macquarie running. Drawn from all walks of life, these volunteers are a mix of travellers and passionate locals and can be found running wine tastings, painting, gardening, cooking, guiding tours and tending to the all-important vines.
As Australia’s only community-run winery, Douglas Vale Vineyard is a labour of love for these volunteers — or ‘vollies’, as they are affectionately known.
Nestled behind trees and just off a busy stretch of the Oxley Highway, Douglas Vale is easy to miss. But once you’ve left the bustling beach town behind, you’re in another world, with a stately heritage-listed bamboo entrance, heritage cottages, luxuriant gardens and, of course, the vineyards.
The early days
Although it was founded by a man — George Francis, a seaman turned gold miner turned vigneron — Douglas Vale is essentially a matriarchy. Purchasing the land in 1859, George named it after his wife’s family and his daughter, Margaret, learned at his feet. He built the four-room homestead in 1862 (now the oldest remaining timber homestead in Port Macquarie) and the first grapes were harvested in 1867.
By 1880, Douglas Vale had grown to 17.8 hectares of prized volcanic soil and was a runaway success, producing up to 3200 gallons of wine and winning awards. When George died in 1898, Margaret took over — making her one of Australia’s first female vignerons. And luckily for us, Margaret was also a meticulous scribe who kept detailed records and there are publications available for purchase at the cellar door.
After Margaret’s death in 1932, the family changed tack, becoming oyster farmers and Douglas Vale became an oyster shed. During WWII, vines were ripped out and 20,000 pineapples were planted as part of the war effort to feed Sydney.
After the last family member passed away, Douglas Vale fell into disrepair, was vandalised and threatened with demolition. But in 1995, the Douglas Vale Conservation Group was formed and began the long process of restoration.
Volunteer Robert Herd behind the bar at Douglas Vale
A community legacy
Since then, volunteers have painstakingly restored the derelict buildings and re-established the gardens, preserving the site as both a working museum and vineyard. Curator Ian Cupit, one of the original vollies, is keen to preserve Douglas Vale in its various incarnations — winery, oyster shed and wartime garden, “we aim to keep the quirks,” he says.
Thanks to the passionate volunteers, Douglas Vale has entered a new era. In 2024, it opened The Wine House — its first events venue, built entirely by volunteers. In July 2025, the winery celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Douglas Vale Conservation Group.
Today, the vineyard produces eight wine varietals, including the rare Isabella grape — grown from the original 19th century cuttings first planted by George Francis.
The winery produces eight wine varietals
The vollies tend the gardens, run the bar and tastings, organise tours, handle administration, manage weddings, events and open mic’ events and organise marketing, wine sales as well as the all-important harvest, which is picked by hand.
For some vollies, it’s a chance to use skills from their working lives — there are quite a few ex-history teachers and ex-chippies in the mix. For others, it’s about learning something new, from worm farming to harvesting grapes. But for everyone, it’s about the friendship, camaraderie and the sense of purpose in being a part of this unique slice of Port Macquarie’s story.
Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard is open for guided tours of the heritage museum and grounds, as well as wine tastings and cheese plates every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Volunteers do all the chores
Visiting Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard
Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard
235 Oxley Highway
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
P: 02 6584 3792
If you’re interested in volunteering, you can talk to the current vollies on Wednesday and Saturday mornings or email volunteering@douglasvale.com.au
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