Rotary club fundraiser in its eight year

Wines, gourmet food, fellowship, live music and a live auction are part of the 8th Annual Vine and Dine fundraiser hosted by Flower Mound Rotary.

The event starts at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2015 at the Texas Motor Speedway Club, where 400 people are expected for an evening of wine tasting, dinner, a live auction and raffles.

More than 50 wines will be available to taste before the dinner, according to Flower Mound Rotarian Chuck Titterington, who said from appetizer to dessert, each course of the dinner will be paired with a specifically selected glass of wine.

Some of the big auction items will include a seven-day stay in an Italian villa, wine tasting in Sonoma, Calif., and beer tasting in Boston.

Vine and Dine grows each year, both in the number of attendees and the number of charities that benefit from the proceeds, according to a news release. Some of the charities receiving donations in recent years are Christian Community Action, PediPlace, Youth and Family Counseling and The Children’s Advocacy Center of Denton County.

Helping others was the impetus for the first Vine and Din/e, according to Titterington.

“Nine years ago we had a little fundraiser called Vine and Dine. We started it because we needed to raise additional funds for our charities. Our goal was to have an elegant evening with good food and wine, have fun and raise money. The description that applied to the first year was ‘organized chaos’. But in spite of ourselves we raised money and had fun.”

The second year, the club added the wine stroll. “The last two years we sold out of tickets and, through the years, feedback has been consistent that it is a fun event for good causes. There is no better combination than good wine, good food and friends,” he said.

Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased at www.flowermoundwinestroll.com.

Sponsors are needed as well as donations of individual or package style gifts. Forms are available on the website.