Giacomo Galimberti is celebrating the grand opening of a new location for his Leesburg wine store, Gvino Enoteca, today with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m.
Galimberti, former wine director at Cafe Milano in Georgetown, started Gvino Enoteca in 2021 in downtown Leesburg at 203 Harrison St. More than doubling his space in the Market Station retail complex at 108 South St. will allow Galimberti to expand on his business and run vocational wine classes at the shop.
Gvino Enoteca plans to continue its First Friday wine tasting events and its wine club. The standard wine club provides subscribers three bottles every month for $52.99, but he recently added an “elite wine club” that features more collectible items at the rate of one premium bottle a month for $90 and two for $170. The club offers lists of food pairings created from Galimberti’s international journey.
Originally from Lake Como, Italy, Galimberti’s grandfather was a winemaker hobbyist. Galimberti had lived in London and Dubai before landing in DC. He said he was always connected with wine, even before moving to the nation’s capital. His time at Cafe Milano in Georgetown helped to build relationships in the United States.
In 2019, Cafe Milano was crowned by the Italian embassy for having the best Italian wine in Washington DC. Galimberti said he focuses on quality European and Italian wines, which he now puts at the forefront of Gvino Enoteca.
Enoteca offers wines from Loudoun wineries, as well as overseas delights, including Riascoli 1141, from the second oldest winery in the world. Galimberti said that “wine travels time” while explaining his philosophy and the experience he wants to give customers.
“What I love to do is tell backstories,” he said. “Why is the name like this? What families from what century? You know wine, it’s something that travels in time, and people have been making it for so many years.” Galimberti said as he reflected on the way people were living when the wines were bottled to connect to those backstories.
Galimberti inspects the dining area.
Galimberti also thanked his family for supporting him and the business. He also cited support from the Leesburg business community, particularly Daniela William’s Cucinamore in-home dining business, for which Gvino Enoteca does wine pairings.
Gvino Enoteca also serves food. Its menu includes Italian and Mediterranean options such as focaccia recipes, pinsa romana dishes, and panini.
Galimberti said he’s always been connected with wine in one way or another.
“It’s a very fascinating industry,” he said.
For more information, go to gvinowine.com.
Gvino Enoteca's New Location
Giacomo Galimberti inspecting wines in the cooled area in Gvino Enoteca's new location.
Giacomo Galimberti inspecting wines in the cooled area in Gvino Enoteca's new location.
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