Open That Bottle Night

Where:: Other
Date change rule:: Last Saturday of February
Holiday emoji:: 🍷

Open That Bottle Night uncorks a special tradition every last Saturday of February. This day encourages you to finally enjoy that treasured bottle of wine you’ve been saving for a ‘special occasion.’ Gather friends and family, select your finest vintage, and make new memories together.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected Open That Bottle Night Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that wine retailers and restaurants often feature special deals for Open That Bottle Night. Look for discounts on premium bottles at stores like Total Wine & More and BevMo!, or special tasting menus at local restaurants. Online wine clubs such as Winc and Firstleaf may offer introductory discounts or curated selections. Gourmet food stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s might highlight cheese and charcuterie pairings. Even direct-to-consumer wineries like Napa Valley Wine Company could offer exclusive bundles. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as February 2027 approaches.

Platform Guide for Open That Bottle Night

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #OpenThatBottleNight. Share a photo of your special bottle, its story, and who you’re sharing it with.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #OpenThatBottleNight. Film a short video reviewing your chosen wine or demonstrating a perfect food pairing.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #OpenThatBottleNight. Create an event to invite friends to your virtual or in-person wine-tasting party.

Open That Bottle Night Hero

Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher

Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher are the former 'Tastings' columnists for The Wall Street Journal, who created Open That Bottle Night in 1999. Their column, which ran for over two decades, encouraged readers to explore wine without pretension. They conceived OTBN as a way to remind people that wine is meant to be enjoyed and shared, not just collected, fostering connection over a cherished bottle.

History of Open That Bottle Night

Wine is one of the most beloved alcoholic drinks in the world. On Open That Bottle Night, people all over the world release their bottles locked in their home prisons, also known as shelves and cupboards. It need not be old bottles of wine; even that bottle of wine you bought in the morning and put away for the evening is also absolutely fine!

Open That Bottle Night was created by two journalists (‘Tastings’ columnists) at ‘The Wall Street Journal,’ Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, a husband and wife team. This event was created with the main goal of motivating people to reconnect with each other over a bottle and creating good memories with our loved ones.

There is a special way to celebrate Open That Bottle Night in the best way. It all starts by digging out that special wine you saved for a special occasion. Now invite your friends and family to your home or an outdoor picnic spot. That’s it, now all you have to do is to open that wine and share it with them. Talk and share the long-lost precious memories of your life and enjoy the evening.

Since its inauguration in 2000, Open That Bottle Night has become a global phenomenon and is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of February, and it’s growing in popularity annually. Good wine is to be consumed, but great wine is made to be shared. So, cherish those bottles with your friends and family and create memories that last forever!

Open That Bottle Night timeline

6000 B.C.

Earliest Known Traces of Wine

Georgians consume wine, which then spreads to other countries.

2000

A Couple Invented Open That Bottle Night

Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher invent Open That Bottle Night to promote good times with loved ones.

2010

Gaiter is Honored

Gaiter is named as the Food and Wine Editor for ‘France Magazine.’

2020

Gaiter and Brecher Become Industry Leaders

The couple is honored by the Wine Business Monthly as the 2020 Wine Industry Leaders.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Open That Bottle Night

Local businesses can embrace Open That Bottle Night by creating special experiences. Restaurants might offer a ‘corkage-free’ night for patrons bringing their own treasured bottles, or feature a special tasting menu designed to pair with a variety of wines. Wine shops can host in-store tasting events showcasing vintages suitable for the occasion, or offer discounts on premium bottles. Gourmet food stores can highlight cheese and charcuterie pairings, making it easy for customers to complete their celebratory spread.

Open That Bottle Night FAQs

When is Open That Bottle Night?

In 2027, Open That Bottle Night will be observed on Saturday, February 27. This annual tradition always takes place on the last Saturday of February.

How much wine is consumed globally each year?

The global wine market continues to see robust consumption, with figures consistently hovering around 230-240 million hectoliters annually. This vast consumption underscores wine’s role in global culture and celebrations.

What makes a wine suitable for aging?

The best aging wines have a balanced structure, where fruit, acid, and tannins are in harmony. Proper storage conditions, such as a cool, dark, and humid environment, are also crucial for a wine to reach its full potential over years or even decades.

What is oenophobia?

For those who experience oenophobia, the fear can stem from various factors, including a traumatic past experience or a general aversion to alcohol. It’s a specific phobia that, like others, can be managed with therapy.

How to Celebrate Open That Bottle Night

Open a bottle of wine
The best way to celebrate Open That Bottle Night is by opening one and celebrating with your friends and family. Let the bonding moment take you down memory lane with your loved ones.
Attend a wine tasting event
Don’t have a bottle of wine in your home? Don’t worry. Attend a wine tasting event and sample a range of wines.
Host a wine party
Invite your friends, family, and co-workers and spread the positive benefits of wine to them. Fun things happen at a wine party; enjoy yourself!

5 Awesome Facts About Wine We Bet You Didn’t Know

720 bottles of wine
A ton of grapes can be processed to produce 720 bottles of wine.
Women couldn’t drink wine
Not now of course, but during the early Roman times, it was forbidden for women to drink wine.
10,000 varieties
There are an estimated 10,000 varieties of wine grapes in the world.
Aroma is specific to wine
The term ‘aroma’ that we use normally is the term for the fragrance of young wine.
The largest bottle of wine
The largest bottle of wine, called “Nebuchadnezzar,” has a volume of nearly four gallons.

Why We Love Open That Bottle Night

Some people need it!
By some people, we mean us, all of us! Open That Bottle Night is an interesting celebration that reminds us that good stuff is just waiting for us to come.
It brings people together
Open That Bottle Night is a great day to gather a bunch of your loved ones together, like your friends and family, and spend some quality time with them. The purpose of Open That Bottle Night is to bring people together.
Wine is healthy
Wine, when consumed responsibly can bring in loads of health benefits. It can regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of cancer and heart issues!