While the Men are Away...
. . . the women will take the kids to a waterpark in Wisconsin. Maybe not the ideal end to that proverb, but the kids and I look forward to this quick getaway to meet my sister and niece every year. November 15 is the open of rifle deer season in Michigan. I grew up in a small town in the Upper Peninsula where this time of year was like a religion for most. With so many kids absent from school; the district used to declare it a holiday. This tradition is shared by men, women and families going to their “deer camp.” Imagine minimalist cabins with bunk rooms, outhouses and maybe running water, if you are lucky, trekking out into the woods to stake out in a blind all day in frigid temperatures in hopes of a chance to get a buck. While my sisters and I made quite a few trips out to camp as kids, mostly to play while my dad would tinker, mow the lawn, or just check-in, hunting camp wasn’t going to be something I felt I missed out on.
This time of year—while my father, uncles, cousins, husband and brother-in-laws go to deer camp— my sister and I have started a tradition of meeting somewhere with our kids for a weekend away. We get some much needed family time and we celebrate my youngest son and niece’s birthdays (don’t get my dad started on why of all weeks of the year we both had kids within days of the start of deer season).
Cozily crammed into a Residence Inn in Green Bay, takeout demolished, and heavy into a game of 5 Second Rule, Jr., it was the perfect time to open up one of my favorites. I fan-girl hard on Dave Phinney, founder and winemaker at Orin Swift. He is known for the big jammy wines that I love most, and the wittiness of his bottles and labels are the kind you won’t forget. Trigger Finger is no exception, delivered in a port wine bottle with the uncle of Orin Swift’s general manager as the “Lone Ranger” featured on the label. Something about the playfulness of this kid reminds me of my dad, too —even though in the process of writing this blog I realized they look nothing alike. I’m going to chalk it up to the time period, mischievous look in all little boys eyes and that just seeing this bottle makes me smile.
2016 Orin Swift Trigger Finger
Grenache
Earthy, with flavors of strawberry and vanilla. Medium to full bodied. Has enough umph to hold up to gamey meats like venison, while easily drinkable, in my opinion to have alone.
Captions visible on Tablet and Computer. (1) Angeli Hunting Camp; Our original hunting camp in Iron River Michigan. G. Mennon “Soapy” Williams 41st governor of Michigan is 4th from the left. My great grandfather, Alfredo Angeli, is on the right. (2) My dad as young boy (3) It’s become my husband’s own tradition every year to bring this 5L of Col Di Sasso to kick off the first night of the season. Paired here with Blake’s version of camp canapes; venison summer sausage and jerky, cheese, ritz crackers and wheat thins. (4) 2016 Banfi Col Di Sasso Toscana IGT; Sangiovese/Cabernet Blend. Cabernet really pumps up the body, deep cherry flavors and enough spice that it held its own with the venison snacks and my cousin’s homemade hot pepper jam. (5) 3 of the 4 grandkids on their latest trip with their dads and papa to camp “Compobello 2” - the “new” camp. (6) Continuing the tradition of helping…or at least riding along.