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A collaboration between Norman's three Rotary clubs to raise money for the Mary Abbott Children's House has resulted in a weekend devoted to fine wines, mouthwatering appetizers, auctions and great fun. Set for June 6 at the home of Richard and Geri Krenek and June 7 in the Kerr McGee Stadium Club overlooking Owen Field at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Le Tour De Vin is in its sixth year of supporting community causes and fulfilling the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self."

The festivities begin Friday, June 6, at an intimate garden gathering featuring Bob Roux of the Caymus Vineyards. Roux will present exceptionally fine wines paired with cuisine by Benvenuti's Restaurante. Seating to this event is limited; call 308-5944 for availability.

Saturday, June 7, the "main event" commences, when over 200 domestic and foreign wines and rare collectables from such producers as Amethyst, Woodward Canyon, Paradigm, Napa Wine Co. and Caymus will be offered for tasting and acquisition.

Four lots from the Premier Napa Valley Auction, an annual wine-country event that offers one-of-a-kind wines labeled, numbered, and initialed by the wine maker, will be up for bid. Included in one of the lots is a 2002 Stonegate Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2003 Napa Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2004 Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2001 Paradigm Zinfandel, a 2001 Renteria Cabernet and a Stonefly Cab Franc. Trips to Napa and Sonoma, guided tours by winemakers, and rare mixed cases also will be on the auction block.

Beyond wine, other offerings include trips to Crested Butte and New York, diamonds, a variety of special dinners, rounds of golf, and a selection of Sooner Champion cigars.

A number of area restaurants, including Benvenuti's, Fancy That, Misal of India Bistro, Othello's, Paseo Grill, Seven 47, The Mantel, and Justin's Bar and Bistro will offer samples of their most delectable items, and musical entertainment by the Mary Sallee Quartet is also on the program.

One ticket for a drawing for a limo ride and dinner for six at Mahogany, courtesy of Hob Nob Rob's and Hal Smith Restaurant Groups, is included with each reservation. Additional tickets to the drawing may purchased for $5 or three for $10.

The beneficiary of Le Tour De Vin, Mary Abbott Children's House, exists to serve children of sexual and physical abuse and neglect and their non-offending family members. It offers a place where an interagency team of professionals can interview a child in a neutral setting, hopefully only once. This offers better outcomes in terms of both the child's trauma and in preservation and presentation of evidence. Abbott House also counsels families, advocates for children, and offers education to help prevent abuse and neglect.

Sadly, abuse and neglect in Oklahoma and in the nation is increasing alarmingly. In calendar year 2006, Abbott House served 450 children who were victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. By July of this year, they had surpassed that number, and as of September they had served 565 Cleveland County children.

Norman's three Rotary clubs are using Le Tour De Vin as a vehicle to raise money for the expansion planned by Abbott House. Its capital campaign, rolled out in 2006, will provide more space to accommodate clients. To date the agency is at 82 percent of its goal, and the three clubs hope to add substantially to its coffers.

Le Tour De Vin is the brainchild of Norman's Cross Timbers Rotary Club. In 2003, in an effort to raise money for the American Red Cross and some of its other philanthropies, Cross Timbers offered a winetasting event that included music, silent and live auctions, hors d'oeuvres from Norman restaurants and a chance to mingle with a diverse group of wine lovers. The resulting event was an instant hit that raised $25,000 for charity and left locals clamoring for more.

Le Tour De Vin 2007 marked the first time that all three Norman Rotary clubs -- Cross Timbers, Sooner and Norman --?combined their efforts to benefit both the Red Cross and club projects. That fundraiser netted $70,000, attracted about 400 people and allowed the clubs to share the proceeds with causes near to their hearts.

Sponsors of Le Tour De Vin include: Champagne Sponsor:? Fowler Auto Group; Pinot Noir: Mitchell's Jewelry, Metro HD; Cabernet Sauvignon: Norman Transcript, Vernon Smith -- Asso., Bankingquestions.com, Knippelmier Chevrolet Inc.; Merlot: First American Bank, Avanti Laser Skincare Center, The Brandenburg Family, Don Cies Real Estate, Drive Train Specialists, Valliance Bank; Chardonnay: BancFirst, Hooper Printing, William J. Blum, DDS., Cleveland County Abstract, Ferguson Pontiac, Financial Journeys, Gray, Blodgett -- Co., PLLC, Havenbrook Funeral Home, Joe's Taverna, Liquecolor Inkjet Group, Oklahoma Gazette, Riverwind Casino, Tracy Schumacher, Republic Bank and Trust; Chablis: Base Business Resources, Casa Blanca LLC, Drs. Archie and Imelda Buendia, Ron and Jetta Burton, Russ and Donna Davoren, Dr. Chris Edge, Mr. Electric, Drs. Nick and Marian Gutierrez, Debbie Bugg and Moen Hayes, International Pantry, Mark and Debra Krittenbrink, Mazzios, Si Simon and Sherri McCurdy, Cindy K. Nashert Insurance Agency, Inc., Glenna and Sam Ott, Physicians and Surgeons Pharmacy, Mary and Don Sherman, Sooner Copy Machines.

Reservations are being taken for Le Tour De Vin 2008. Tickets for Friday's event are $250 per person and include the Saturday tasting. Saturday's tickets are $75. Reservations are required for both events and may be purchased by calling 308-5944 or visiting the Web site, www.letourdevin.com.