photography
The 38th Annual “First Taste of the Year” at Copperopolis Armory
The 38th annual “First Taste of the Year” event was held on Saturday February 22, 2025 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. 2025 marks the 38th Annual wine tasting event and coincides with the 165th 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), Jazz Cellars (Murphys), Frog’s Tooth Winery (Murphys) and Milliaire Winery (Murphys).
The participants voted for Best White Wine and Best Red Wine tasted during the evening.
For the Best White Wine, the 2024 Frog’s Tooth Grenache Blanc won. Larry and Tana (left side of picture) were very pleased to win this award, and the couple was happy tasting many of their wines!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For the Best Red Wine, it went to Jazz Cellars 2022 Backbeat Red Blend. It is a GSM blend with a hint of Petite Sirah added. Joe and Bob, the owners and winemakers, also were very excited winning this year!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
In addition to raffle tickets, several items were presented in a live auction.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Other wineries were enjoying talking about their wines with guests.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Various foods were prepared by the volunteers. Here are only a few of them:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This was a classic small town Americana fund raising with the community helping to support!
Sláinte,
Michael