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The new event space offers dining among rows of apple varieties. (Credit: Grant Parpan)

How does the idea of drinking rosé in an apple orchard adjacent to an 1860s barn sound? Or a dinner with apples cooked 16 different ways and paired with popular local ciders?

These are among the plans for the new Jamesport Manor & Orchard event space on Manor Lane this summer.  

The events, helmed by North Fork farm-to-table pioneer Chef Matt Kar and his son Chris, aim to showcase the possibilities at their hidden gem property in Jamesport.

“We realize that people come out here for the nature so for us to be able to entertain on this property, which is surrounded by 60 acres of farmland is really something special,” said Matt, who for nearly 30 years headed Jamesport Country Kitchen, and is now working with his son at the Jamesport Manor Inn while also running their popular Christopher Michael catering business.

Last year they began hosting events at the orchard space, which features rows of four varieties of apples. This year, in an effort to bring more attention to their tucked away property, they’re utilizing the space for three tasting events: A Rosé Tasting, Taste the Orchard and a beer pairing dinner party.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE EVENT TICKETS

The rosé event is set for Saturday, July 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. and tickets are currently on sale. Bottles from nearly 20 vineyards will be poured, including 10 Long Island wineries: Martha Clara, Bedell, Castello di Borghese, Sannino Bella Vita, Palmer, Macari, Lenz, Paumanok, Jamesport and Wolffer Estate. The wines will be paired with small-plate offerings prepared by the Kars. They’re also taking reservations for a $65 three-course dinner later that evening.

Long Island wine
Expect rosé from 19 different wineries at the July 8 event. (Credit: Randee Daddona)

Among the food pairings at the rosé tasting will be beef carpaccio with micro arugula, shaved parmesan and lemon oil; coriander crusted, seared tuna, cucumber, orange blossom and honey vinaigrette; and mini lobster ceviche taco with sweet and spicy corn puré and micro cilantro.

The Taste the Orchard event is set for Saturday, August 25 and will feature four tasting menus with apple cooked 16 different ways as well as local and well-known ciders. The beer pairing will be held Saturday, Sept. 30 featuring four courses. Tickets for each of those events is $65.

For the apple tasting expect Matt’s popular apple crisps made popular at Jamesport Country Kitchen. While the menu is still being finalized other possibilities include apple stuffed chicken as well as pork chops and apple sauce.


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“It will be a little of the old and the new being served that night,” Matt said.

On a tour of the property this week, Chris explained how the orchard space was once a baseball field many years ago and it was pointed out to them that Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, a Bridgehampton native, had played there among the farms that still dot the landscape.

A 19th century home that had been on the property burned down in 2005, but the Kars and their business partners built a replica 1850s structure there and opened the Jamesport Manor Inn soon after. A decade later, the Kars still marvel at the views from each corner of the site.

“If you sit out on the patio of the restaurant you’re staring at a horse farm,” Matt said. “On the side of the building is an 1860s barn. Now we have the orchard with the views of neighboring farmland in the back.”

Eventually the apple trees will grow tall enough to cover the archways with hanging fruit. (Credit: Grant Parpan)

For weddings and other events, parties can shift from the barn space, where they’ve installed a bar, to the orchard area, where the Kars can raise a tent or set long tables among the rows of apples to catch sunset views as patrons dine.

Apple trees have also been planted next to a pair of archways so once they grow tall enough you’ll enter the space by walking under hanging apples.

“We’re right between two very respected and popular orchards with Harbes (to the north) and Woodside (to the south) so the orchard theme really fit,” Chris said.

The property is located at 370 Manor Lane in Jamesport. For reservations call 631-722-0500 or visit jamesportmanor.com for event tickets.

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