Calaveras Winegrape Alliance
“First Taste of the Year” Fundraiser Was a Tremendous Success
The 39th annual “First Taste of the Year” event was held on Saturday February 21st, 2026 at the Armory on Main Street, in Copperopolis, California. It was sponsored by the Copperopolis Community Center, a volunteer staffed organization that restores and preserves the two publicly owned historical buildings in town. 2026 marks the 39th Annual wine tasting event and coincides with the 166th anniversary of Copperopolis. The two buildings are the historical brick Congregational Church and the Armory. Both buildings were constructed during the copper rush in the mid 1800’s, the Armory in 1863 and the church in 1865. Copperopolis was the center of the “Copper Rush” (after the gold rush). These are two of the four buildings in town on the National Register of Historic Places: Copperopolis Armory and the Congregational Church. From 1860’s to the time the mines closed in 1945, 72,598,883 pounds of copper were mined in Copperopolis and the copper used in the Civil War, WWI and WWII for ammunition casings.
Photo Calaveras Community Center
Photo Calaveras Community Center
With advance purchase the cost was $30 which included a commemorative wine glass, hors d’ Oeuvres, a raffle and of course many wines to enjoy. Wineries pouring were Ironstone Vineyards (Murphys), Indian Rock Vineyards (Murphys), Frog’s Tooth Winery (Murphys), Gossamer Cellars (Murphys), Indigeny Reserve (Sonora), Jessie’s Grove (Lodi), La Folia (Murphys), Newsome-Harlow (Murphys) and Prospect 772 (Angels Camp). Two others were scheduled to pour being Jazz Cellars (Murphys) but was snowed in from recent storm and Bodega del Sur.
The attending guests voted for Best White Wine and Best Red Wine tasted during the evening.
For the Best White Wine, the 2023 Prospect 772 Tatum’s Grace won. It is a blend of 50% Roussanne and 50% Viognier. A beautiful wine with hints of apple, pear and honeysuckle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For the Best Red Wine, there was a tied between Frog’s Tooth Winery and La Follio. The Frog’s Tooth Winery 2024 GSM was a wonderful and refreshing wine of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Smooth, jammy, savory spices with rustic notes. It recently won a Gold Medal at SF Chronicle Wine Competition.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
La Folia tied for first place with their Barbera possessing gorgeous aromatics with cherry, cranberry with a modicum of spices and a candied finish.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Additionally raffle tickets were available to purchase. Winners were announced for prizes of various gifts, gift certificates and baskets announced towards the end of the evening.
The turnout was outstanding this year with the community supporting the Community Center fundraiser. All the attendees applauded the wineries participating and appreciated their attending.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Noticed while tabulating the votes, every winery received votes for their wines!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This was a classic small town America fund raising with the community helping to support a worthy cause! The volunteer committee hosting this event worked tirelessly in making it successful.
Sláinte,
Michael