Founded in 2003 by retired U.S. Army Major Steve Conaway and his wife, Erika, Thousand Islands Winery makes wine in Northern New York’s Thousand Islands region. The Conaways began with 1,100 gallons and now produce more than 50,000 gallons annually on farms that include more than 19 acres of wine grapes, while the historic 1923 Sears & Roebuck barn anchors the tasting and event experience. The winery has earned more than 168 competition medals and remains known for wines shaped around the tastes and character of the region.
Millbrook Vineyards & WineryFounded in 1982 on a former dairy farm, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery makes estate-grown wines in New York’s Hudson River Valley. It was the region’s first vineyard dedicated exclusively to vinifera grapes, and today its 130-acre estate includes 30 acres of vines and produces 10,000 to 15,000 cases annually. The restored Dutch barn welcomes visitors for tastings and tours, while the vineyard hosts events throughout the year.MILLBROOK, NY
Thirsty Owl Wine CompanyFounded by Ted Cupp in 2002, Thirsty Owl Wine Company grows grapes and makes estate-focused wines on a 150-acre vineyard along Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes. The family-run winery is home to some of the region’s oldest vinifera vines, with longtime winemaker and vineyard manager Shawn Kime shaping wines that reflect the area’s changing seasons. Visitors can taste the wines year-round overlooking the lake and working vineyards, with a seasonal bistro on site.OVID, NY
Johnson Estate WineryFounded in 1961 on a century-old fruit farm, Johnson Estate Winery makes estate-grown wines along Lake Erie in Westfield, New York. New York’s oldest continuously operating estate winery remains family-owned across four generations, with 115 acres of vineyards and a historic tasting room housed in a former 1920 apple cold-storage building. Its roots run especially deep in the region’s French-American hybrids and heritage grapes, while its traditional ice wines have been produced since 1995.WESTFIELD, NY
Wagner Vineyards Estate WineryFounded by Bill Wagner in 1979 as the first winery on Seneca Lake’s eastern shore, Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery makes 100% estate-grown Finger Lakes wines in Lodi, New York. Five generations of Wagner grape growers now tend 250 acres and produce about 50,000 cases annually, with the estate especially recognized for its Rieslings, from dry styles through ice wine. The family-owned winery also combines tastings and lake views with an on-site brewery and the Ginny Lee Cafe.LODI, NY