Thousand Islands Winery History
Where It All Began
Steve Conaway, originally from Pennsylvania, and his wife Erika, from Washington State, were married in 1990 and raised four children together.
After serving more than twenty-two years in the United States Army, Steve retired as a Major in 2003. Throughout his military career, he completed tours in Germany, Greece, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan.
While stationed in Germany along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, Steve developed a deep appreciation for Riesling wines and the culture surrounding European winemaking. Years later, after relocating to the breathtaking Thousand Islands Region of Northern New York, he recognized striking similarities between the St. Lawrence River and the historic river regions of Europe. From the scenic waterfronts and stone castles to the thriving tourism culture.
Inspired by the region’s beauty and untapped potential for viticulture, the Conaways purchased their farm in December 2002 with a vision of establishing a winery unlike anything Northern New York had seen before.
Thousand Islands Winery officially opened its doors in 2003 with an inventory of just 1,100 gallons of wine. What began as a bold dream quickly flourished into one of the region’s most recognized destinations.
As the winery grew, the Conaways expanded operations with the purchase of an additional thirty-acre farm on Wellesley Island in 2013. Today, Thousand Islands Winery produces more than 50,000 gallons of wine annually.
Crafting Wines For The Region
In the early years, Steve recognized that Northern New York consumers gravitated more toward beer and spirits than wine. Rather than crafting wines solely for his personal palate, he focused on understanding the preferences of local customers and creating approachable wines that resonated with the region.
Beginning with just five wines, the winery quickly gained a loyal following for its sweeter styles. Over time, customer tastes evolved, allowing the winery to expand into more diverse and sophisticated varietals, including dry wines such as Marquette.
Today, Thousand Islands Winery proudly produces more than twenty-three varieties of wine across five categories: Dry, Semi-Dry, Semi-Sweet, Sweet, and Fruit & Dessert Wines.
The winery also produces fortified port-style wines and honey mead. More than nineteen acres of wine grapes are currently planted on the farm, including Frontenac, Marquette, La Crescent, and Riesling varietals.
Awards & Recognition
Since 2006, Thousand Islands Winery has earned recognition in prestigious wine competitions across the country, receiving more than 168 medals between 2007 and 2019 alone.
The winery has received numerous Double Gold, Gold, and Best of Class honors from respected competitions including the New York Wine & Food Classic, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Indy International Wine Competition, Florida State Fair International Wine Competition, and Riverside International Wine Competition.
Today, Thousand Islands Winery continues to compete nationally while remaining committed to producing high-quality wines that reflect the character, tradition, and spirit of the Thousand Islands region.
The three captains
The winery farm was once owned and operated by Captain Massey and his wife, Ida. A renowned riverboat captain during the 1930s, Captain Massey owned and operated a large Great Lakes vessel that was later sold to the Department of Defense during World War II.
During the 1970s, the farm was owned by Jerry and Debbie Schaeffer, who raised Arabian horses and harvested hay on the property. Jerry Schaeffer also served as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve. The original farmhouse was built in 1881, while the iconic barn was constructed in 1923 from a Sears & Roebuck kit.
When Steve Conaway purchased the property, he too held the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army. The Thousand Islands Region reminded him of his time spent along Germany’s Rhine River, where his passion for wine and winemaking first began.