With a dream of a new adventure and a plan to build a life for Mariana, Nunzio headed to America from Carini, Sicily aboard a boat destined for New Orleans. Leaving the love of his life was heartbreaking, and with only $15 dollars to his name, he knew the task ahead would be difficult. On Feb 14, 1903, upon arriving in the United States and meeting his good friend Faro, they headed to California. Being an immigrant, he was awarded several acres from the government with the agreement he would continuously farm it. Like any good Sicilian, Nunzio planted grapes and established a couple cellars filling them with wine made with local grapes while his vineyard took hold. After 2 years of hard work, Nunzio traveled back to Sicily to marry Mariana. The following year, returning to America through New York. Nunzio and Mariana headed to California by train only to find their land confiscated and their cellars of wine lost.