Waiting for a rainy day to open that special bottle of wine you’ve been saving? The day is coming … February 25, 2017 – Open That Bottle Night. 

Open That Bottle Night was initiated by two reporters at The Wall Street Journal – Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher – who wanted to encourage their readers to open a significant bottle, then to share their stories.

The premise of Open That Bottle Night is that wine is more than liquid in a bottle. With the opening of special wines comes a memory of life milestones, births, deaths and marriages, long-lost loved ones and treasured holidays. These memories are too precious and significant not to celebrate and share.

Since its inauguration in 2000, the event has gone on to become a global phenomenon, and is always held annually on the last Saturday in February.

For those in the hospitality industry, Open That Bottle Night is an opportunity to help customers put wine on the centre stage on tables. Suggestions include host a BYO night at your restaurant, or highlighting your venue’s status as BYO. 

For wineries, the night represents an opportunity to focus on the compelling stories about your wines and producers, and encourage customers to open and enjoy the wines they have put aside.

For retailers, it’s a chance to promote vintage wines you’d like people to discover, or small parcels from your favourite producers that have an interesting story behind their production. 

As a wine lover, dig out a special wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion or purchase a new release with an interesting back story to join in the fun.

Once the wine has been opened and tasted, post your thoughts on social media using #OTBN, or post your OTBN photos on Facebook. 

Read more about the origins of Open That Bottle Night by clicking here.