Being Director of Operations at Terra Vite North Fork Winery and Vineyard is a dream come true for Jessy Fusco, who is able to work alongside her sister at the Long Island winery. Her career in the wine world began in 2008 in the tasting room at Macari Vineyards on the North Fork. She went on to continue her American Sommelier training in NYC. After completing the program, Fusco joined the ranks of the historic Waldorf Astoria and Intercontinental New York Barclay Hotels, progressing from a floor sommelier to the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. She also holds a Master in Clinical Social Work from NYU and is a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers. According to Fusco, being out since 2007 was not always an easy road to follow, but she attributes her ability to feel confident as a gay professional to visiting a cousin in Los Angeles in her early 20s and attending women-centered nightlife events with her, including “Truckstop.” Her love of enology, the study of wines, gave her a professional purpose, and her hope is “for other strong female professionals to also be pillars for those who struggle with visibility in their workplace,” she tells GO. “I hope that by sharing my creativity and passion for hospitality that it may help others shine through and come out as out and proud, talented professionals.” She knows that visibility in the workplace is vital for young LGBTQ+ individuals to succeed. —NT
