George Nosisi, Assistant Winemaker
George moved to the Finger Lakes region in 2008. A native of Hamtramck, Michigan, he previously lived in Arizona where he received a B.S. in Agricultural from Arizona State University and spent almost 15 years working as a zoo keeper, certified veterinary technician and clinic manager. Living in the desert was beautiful, but George was happy to move to Ithaca where he could experience all four seasons—even winter—and enjoy easy access to the opportunities provided by Cayuga and Seneca Lakes.
After moving to the region, George worked at Sweet Land Farm, a CSA in Trumansburg. He realized, too, that he didn’t simply enjoy drinking wine and other spirits but also had an interest in making them. Before joining Atwater, George started making wine at home. For five harvests in a row, working with only his cousin, he processed at least a ton of grapes each year. While waiting for the wine to age, he practiced home brewing and distilling, building an enviable laboratory.
When he is not busy making wine, distilling, or brewing beer, George enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, bicycling, and kayaking. He also likes to read and watch movies. He lives in Ithaca with his wife, Aimee, and three pugs, Walter, Lily, and Norman.