Quattro Goombas Winery and Craft Brewery

November 11, 2023.  Fall fell upon us last week with rain, dropping temperatures, and wind that seemed to herald the season.  But we took advantage of an Indian Summer day to make a visit to Quattro Goombas Winery near the town of Aldie.  More specifically, the winery is just north of Gilbert’s Corner on Route 15.  The short driveway into Quattro Goombas is heavily rutted so take it slowly and watch for craters.

Quattro Goombas is the work of Jay DeCianno and his wife Judy.  They opened the winery in 2006 with another couple, the Camden’s, after they all moved here from Pittsburg.  The DeCianno’s have since bought out the Camden’s interest to become the sole owners of the winery.  Thus, what began as Quattro Goombas – four friends – might now be called “Due Goombas.”  Jay augmented the operations in 2014 by adding a brewery next door to the wine tasting room building.  You can freely move drinks between them.  Whiskey is also served in the wine tasting room.  Quattro Goombas is a very relaxed atmosphere.  The tasting room has a compact bar and a small stone fireplace.  A side door opens onto a deck where you can sample outside.  Ample tented picnic tables are spread out o a patio pad.   

 

Dogs are welcome.  Children are welcome too in most of the property.  The wine tasting room, however, is adults-only.  You should know that for those picnics or other events or gatherings, Quattro Goombas disfavors outside food.  They make a great pizza on site, I hear, although we didn’t try the pizza on this visit.

Quattro Goombas does not cater to large formal events.  According to Scott, our server, the winery does not take space reservations for events.  It is all First-Come-First Served.  There is a lot of space outside as mentioned.  Also, the tasting room building has a finished downstairs, but I found it rather dark and uninviting.  If you are planning a special event, better get to the winery early as there is no guarantee of availability.  Or go someplace that takes reservations.

The winey does take reservations for daily and overnight RV parking through the Harvest Host Program.  Quattro Goombas does not have a Bed and Breakfast, but you can drive-in your own accommodations.  They can handle up to three RV’s per night.  No hook-ups.

Scott estimated that around 90% of the wine produced at Quattro Goombas is from the nine acres of grapes under vine at their Purcellville vineyard.  This is four varietals.  The balance of grapes are sourced from Lodi, California and other places.  They are still a “micro-winery” at around 2,400 cases of wine produced annually.  Scott reported that the winery had sold out of their Chardonnay and Petit Manseng, a good sign for them.  For 2024, be on the lookout for a Zinfandel on the red side and a Petit Manseng (“Sorelle”) on the white side

I had a tasting of seven wines instead of having a flight of four.  We did not try any of the beer.  I’ll leave that to the hops-and-malt crown to evaluate.  We passed on the whiskey as well.  Here are my impressions of the wine:

Gruett Sparkling Rose NV.  Scott told us this Rose is from New Mexico.  It is not especially sweet or complex.  Light strawberry.  I rate it a B or less.

2021 Piney River White.  Since the Chardonnay was sold-out, the next best thing was the Piney River White blend of Chardonnay and Petit Manseng.  Green apple from the Chardonnay; a little medicinal on the nose.  Another B from me.

2020 Vino di Nonni (Chilled).  Scott served the di Nonni chilled and at room temperature.  Same wine, very different impact, but I rate both offerings a B.  This was the first wine Quattro Goombas released and is a blend of two reds and a white – the exact varietals and their proportions are a secret family recipe.  The chilled version was jammy on the nose but tartness on the tongue, a bit of a surprise.  An unusual aftertaste.  It is non-fruity and sharper than the room temperature offering.  I agree with Scott that this could make a good Sangria.

2020 Vino di Nonni (Room Temperature).. At room temperature, the di Nonni is less jammy, more fruity (as cold can deaden fruit) and more grippy. 

2019 Vino di San Pietro.  Vino de San Pietro is named for the family’s hometown in Campania, Italy near Naples.  It is a blend of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet dominant.  Pepper on the nose, fruit forward.  More complex.  I rate is a B+ and bought a bottle.

2019 Petit Verdot.  A smooth Petit Verdot with a longer finish.  Mild tannin.  B rating.

2020 Tradizione Bourbon.  There is quite a bit of web coverage for the Tradizione blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.  Very bold, full-bodied, with balanced tannins.  Aged in Bowman bourbon barrels, it has a very sharp vanilla nose.  Sometimes, Quattro Goombas makes a Tradizione blend in Rye barrels as well.  Try it if you can find it.  But I rate the Bourbon version a B.

Very casual and welcoming and covers wine, beer, and whiskey.  Wine average overall.  Pizza goes with some but not all of these drinks.