Southern California’s largest single-day wine tasting event is once again coming to the Aventine’s auto court in La Jolla, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Saturday, June 12.

Known as Wine & Roses, the 21st annual extravaganza will feature more than 90 wineries and 14 restaurants, each doling out sips and samples of their latest specialties. Proceeds each year benefit the 20-acre Camp Oliver for children, located in Descanso, as well as the California Association of Nurserymen and Garden Centers, which transforms the outdoor venue into a living garden complete with trees, roses and other floral arrangements.

Presented by the Social Services Auxiliary of San Diego, the event also includes a makeshift “wine cellar” in the lower level of the parking garage, where winning wineries from the San Diego National Wine Competition donate at least one case for public sale at discounted prices. For example, a case of Cabernet Shiraz from Wolf Blass, which normally retails for $504, will be sold for $328. Case prices, however, range from $40 to $500.

According to Publicity Chair Patricia M. Galligan, organizers for the first time have opened the entire event to winemakers outside the U.S. “We’ll have wines this year from France, Australia, New Zealand and Romania.”

Galligan adds that the event is designed for both wine connoisseurs and neophytes. “We get a great cross section of people. About 50 percent of them come for the wine and the other half comes to meet people and have fun.”

Last year’s attendance totaled nearly 900 guests and raised $85,000. “It’s a sophisticated but casual outdoor wine tasting that draws all segments of the population,” she said.

Among the many wineries that will be pouring include Kestrel Vineyards, Barefoot Cellars, Clos du Bois, Jakob Gerhardt, Chameleon Cellars, Orfila Vineyard and Winery, Mount Palo Winery and Mumm Cuvée.

And where there are rivers of wine, there is food. Participating restaurants include Aux Délices Gourmet & Bistro, Café Japengo, Restaurant 808, Café Merlot and Pizza Nova, to name a few.

The event will also feature two live bands and space for dancing, plus three raffles held every hour beginning at 3:30 p.m. This year’s wine master is Robert Whitley, who writes a weekly wine column for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Aventine is located at 8910 University Center Lane. Tickets are $55 in advance, or $65 at the door. They can be purchased by calling (619) 583-9463, or visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the Wine & Roses website to purchase tickets online.