Deadhead dad takes in Jamesport Vineyards festival

Rocky Point resident Jason Baron, 31, spent his first Father’s Day drinking Blue Point Brewery’s Summer Ale, eating oysters and trailing his son, William Baron, as he shuffled across the grass at Jamesport Vineyards Sunday.

“It’s my first Father’s Day and it’s with my favorite band,” said Baron as he showed off his Grateful Dead tattoo, located on the back of his left calf. The local bands Reckoning, Dawg Star Compromise and Electrix played covers of Grateful Dead songs at Jamesport Vineyards’ Wine, Beer and Oyster Festival with Blue Point Brewery.

In the spirit of the occasion, Baron sported a bright tie-dyed shirt with the words “Grateful Dad” on it, a gift from his wife from when William was born. The family had visited the vineyard two weeks ago to enjoy beer and chardonnay.

“I try as much as I can to support American businesses, to think locally and to act locally,” Baron said.

Hundreds of other visitors spread out on towels and beach chairs to enjoy more than just wine, beer and oysters. The vineyard’s executive chef, Paolo Fontana, used local ingredients for other foods, such as grilled cheese, pulled pork, watermelon, cheese and crackers, rainbow cookies and colorful French macarons.

“Behind us, [there’s the] smell of the barbecue to get the backyard feeling for Father’s Day,” said Fontana, who was cooking on two large barbecue grills.

If guests purchase a bottle from the Jamesport Vineyards East End series, 10 percent of the price was donated to the Southold Project in Aquaculture Training, a volunteer program that teaches aquaculture techniques and shellfish and marine-environment restoration.

“It’s not just about Jamesport,” said Ronald Goerler, owner of Jamesport Vineyards. “It’s about working with people locally in the communities out here to help promote and to get people to come out here and see the great North Fork that we have.”

Above: Jason Baron, left, 31, spends his first Father's Day at Jamesport Vineyards with his son, William, during the Wine, Beer and Oyster Festival with Blue Point Brewery on Sunday. William was able to wander around the large field of grass and grapevines and meet new people like Dante Zangrillo, 7, and his father, Vincent Zangrillo, 57. (June 17, 2012)