There are bottles we don’t buy just to drink, but to save. For a special occasion. For an important visit. For a moment that “deserves it.” And before we know it, months or even years go by… and the bottle is still waiting.
That’s exactly why Open That Bottle Night was created: to give you a reason to uncork that bottle you’ve been holding onto and turn an ordinary evening into something truly memorable.
The origin of a meaningful tradition
Open That Bottle Night was created by wine journalists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who wrote about wine for many years at The Wall Street Journal.
Over time, they received countless letters from readers confessing the same thing: they had bottles that felt too special to open. Some were tied to unforgettable trips, others to weddings, anniversaries, or meaningful friendships. The problem was always the same: waiting for the perfect moment… that never quite arrived.
So they proposed a simple idea. On one specific night each year, usually the last Saturday in February, everyone would open that bottle. Not out of obligation, but with intention.
More than wine: memory and meaning
Open That Bottle Night isn’t about opening the most expensive bottle you own. It’s about opening the one with a story.
Maybe it’s the bottle you brought back from a wine region you fell in love with. The one you received as a gift during an important moment. The one you bought to celebrate something that ended up being celebrated in a different way. Or simply one you’ve been curious to try for a long time.
The real value isn’t in the price tag. It’s in the memory it holds and in the experience of sharing it.
We often hesitate because we’re waiting for the perfect occasion. But the truth is, the perfect occasion doesn’t exist. Wine is meant to be enjoyed. And memories come alive when we live them, not when we store them away.
Open That Bottle Night reminds us that opening a bottle isn’t “using it up.” It’s giving it purpose.
Four wines to make the night unforgettable
If you’re joining the tradition this year, here are four distinctive, award-winning wines that can help turn the evening into something special. Each one offers a different expression and personality, so you can choose the one that best fits your moment.
Venta del Puerto Nº18, 2017
An elegant, well-structured red crafted from Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, aged 18 months in French oak barrels.
On the nose, it reveals ripe dark fruit, smoky notes, roasted coffee, cigar box, and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is powerful and energetic, with mature, well-integrated tannins and a long, complex finish.
A perfect choice for red meats, aged cheeses, or slow-cooked dishes that call for depth and lingering conversation.
Los Escribanos Old Vines, 2018
Sourced from 40 to 60-year-old vines in Navarra, this red blend of Monastrell and Alicante Bouschet reflects Mediterranean character and old-vine intensity.
It offers aromas of ripe red fruit, wild herbs, mineral, and balsamic notes. On the palate, it is rounded and well-structured, finishing long and fresh. A wine with authenticity and soul, ideal for traditional dishes, rice preparations, meats, or hearty stews.
Unsi Terrazas White, 2023
A fresh, expressive white made from 100% White Grenache grown in high-altitude vineyards.
Bright and vibrant, it shows citrus, fennel, white flowers, and fresh fruit on the nose. The palate is balanced, lively, and intense, with a clean and pleasant finish.
Perfect for seafood, fish, Mediterranean cuisine, or even Asian dishes. A luminous option for a lighter yet equally meaningful celebration.
OMG Orange Wine
Crafted exclusively from Muscat of Alexandria with extended skin contact, this orange wine stands out for its truly special winemaking approach, blending ancestral techniques with a bold, contemporary style.
Deep golden in color with copper glints, it offers aromas of candied orange peel, dried apricot, and orange blossom. On the palate, it is dry and textured, with structure, subtle spice, and a lingering saline finish.
An adventurous and memorable choice for those who want their Open That Bottle Night to feel a little unexpected.
How to celebrate Open That Bottle Night
You don’t need to host a formal dinner or plan something elaborate. You can celebrate with a special meal at home, with friends who share the story behind the bottle, with your partner while revisiting an important memory, or even on your own, turning the evening into a personal ritual.
What matters most is opening it with intention.
In the world of wine, we talk a lot about vintages, aging, and time. But wine is also about the present moment. It’s about conversation, pause, and everyday celebration.
Open That Bottle Night is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to wait for something extraordinary to happen. Sometimes, the extraordinary begins the moment you decide to open that bottle.
This year, which one will you open? 🍷
