Grateful Dead songs, wine paired at Chatham Vineyards

Tired of waiting in long lines for musical festivals? This year’s Dead on the Vine has your answer.

For just $35, people can bring themselves or their families and spread out in a field with blankets strewn and lawn chairs flipped open as they listen to the sounds of Grateful Dead echo through the countryside Aug. 8.

Hosted at Chatham Vineyards on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Dead on the Vine will serve guests dinner and wine to those who are of age while guests enjoy Last Fair Deal, a Grateful Dead cover band.

This is the seventh year for the event and owner John Wehner says that audiences can’t get enough.

“They love it,” he said. It’s an evening outside with good food, music and people and it’s very communal in that aspect. I get comments from people saying this is really good music.”

While Last Fair Deal’s performance attracts people young and old, the event is also unique because all the food and drink that is served at the concert is grown and made locally.

The dinner consists of various salads, grilled meats, melons and other fruits, corn on the cob and dessert. There will also be a wine tent where people can purchase wine by the glass or by the bottle.

All the wines are made at the vineyard. At Dead on the Vine, the vineyard will serve both red and white wines including Chardonnay, Rosé, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Vintner’s Blend.

“It’s about coming to a winery that is sustainable, to a farm setting and it’s very tasteful for people who don’t want to go to mega concerts,” Wehner said. “Enjoy three hours of music, have dinner and a glass of wine have a nice evening.”

IF YOU GO

Dead on the Vine

When: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8

Where: Chatham Vineyards, Machipongo

Cost: $35 adults, $15 children 12 and under

Online:http://www.esvatourism.org/es_calendar/

Info: For people that wish to attend, they need to order their tickets in advance by calling the Chatham Vineyards at 757-678-6588 or going to their website.