Do you have a special bottle of Zema Estate tucked away in your cellar, quietly waiting for the perfect occasion? This is it.

Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) returns on Saturday, 28 February 2026, and it’s the perfect excuse to gather family or friends, pull the cork (or twist the screwcap), and enjoy a bottle you’ve been meaning to open for years.

 

What Is Open That Bottle Night?

Started by wine writers Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher of The Wall Street Journal, Open That Bottle Night is held on the last Saturday of February each year. It was created for all of us who save wines “for later” – for the milestone, the celebration, the someday.

The idea is simple: Stop waiting. Open the bottle.

Wine has a remarkable way of marking time. A bottle purchased on a cellar door visit. One saved from a wedding anniversary. A vintage that reminds you of a particular season or memory. When opened, those wines bring more than flavour – they bring stories.

 

Why Zema Wines are made for moments like this

At Zema Estate, we craft our wines with longevity in mind. From carefully selected fruit to traditional winemaking and maturation in quality French and American oak, our wines are built to evolve gracefully over time.

And few regions age wine quite like Coonawarra.

Our famous terra rossa soil, cool climate and long, slow ripening seasons allow Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz to develop structure, natural acidity and fine tannins – the foundations of age-worthy wines. Over time, bold fruit gives way to complex layers of blackcurrant, spice, earth and subtle oak, with tannins softening into a beautifully integrated finish.

Open That Bottle Night is a reminder that these wines were made not just to cellar – but to enjoy.

 

Join the Celebration

We would genuinely love to see what you open. If you decide to mark Open That Bottle Night with a bottle of Zema Estate, please share it with us:

• Take a photo of the bottle (and the people around the table, if you wish)
• Tell us which vintage you opened
• Share a short note about how it’s drinking

You can email your photo and review to friends@zema.com.au or tag us on social media @zemaestate.

We’ll be sharing some of our favourites in the days following OTBN.

 

What will the Zema Team be opening?

You might see a few special bottles appearing on our table too. Some personal favourites include:

• 2012 Family Selection Cabernet & Shiraz
• 2005 Estate Cabernet
• 2008 Estate Shiraz
• 1999 Estate Cabernet
• 2006 and 2016 Saluti

So this year, don’t wait for the “perfect” occasion.

Open the bottle.
Share the story.
Raise a glass with us.

 

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