Boundary Breaks

09/02/2026

At Boundary Breaks, it's our team's passion that helps make us truly special. Meet Rich, one of our Wine Guides who enjoys sharing his passion for wine and the Finger Lakes!

08/31/2026

Where farming meets science. 🍇

The Morrill Act of 1862 established America’s land-grant colleges, including Cornell University—the land-grant institution for New York State.

Through Cornell AgriTech and Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell works directly with New York’s agricultural community, including grape growers and winemakers.

The photo above brings those two worlds together: the “practitioners” and the “professors.”

From left to right:

Hans Walter-Peterson of Cornell Cooperative Extension works with growers throughout the year, helping translate research into practical vineyard management.

Kees Stapel, Boundary Breaks’ Vineyard Manager since 2008, works closely with Cornell on everything from insects and disease to weeds and other vineyard pests.

David Combs of Cornell AgriTech approached us about participating in a trial of biological pesticides in our Cabernet Franc vineyard.

Katie Gold, a professor at Cornell AgriTech, worked with Dave to design and oversee the research.

We agreed to participate because sometimes the only way to learn what works—and what doesn’t—is to try it.

We treated one section of our Cab Franc with conventional pesticides and another with a combination of conventional and biological treatments. This month, we compared the results.

Next week’s Substack will reveal what we learned—and why this collaboration between growers and Cornell matters.

For the full Substack article from our Co-Owner Bruce Murray click here: https://boundarybreaks.substack.com/p/198-scenes-from-a-seminar-on-crab

08/24/2026

The Finger Lakes were carved by glaciers about 10,000 years ago, but the landscape is still changing. Heavy rains continue to erode streambeds, carrying valuable soil and sediment into the lakes.

One of the best ways to reduce erosion is to slow the water down. This week, with help from the county Soil and Water team, we built four log vanes using logs and stone.

Set in a V-pattern facing upstream, the vanes slow the flow, allowing sediment to settle and creating a series of small “stair steps” and plunge pools that help hold and gradually release water. It took two days and a large excavator to build all four.

Now we wait and see how the water and the landscape respond.

For the full Substack article, click here: https://boundarybreaks.substack.com/p/197-a-more-visible-log-vane

08/17/2026

Some of the most moving music in the world is performed at the Metropolitan Opera or the New York Philharmonic. But none of those performances in $100 million auditoriums were as moving to a community as the one composed by Shade Zajac and executed by the small Seneca Summer Music Festival Orchestra, playing at Boundary Breaks.

On a clear summer night, professional musicians volunteered their time, friends and neighbors gathered, and live music filled the air. We celebrated the 250th anniversary of American independence, Lodi’s 200th anniversary, and the 10th anniversary of our Tasting Room.

The concert was also a fundraiser for Ovid’s recovery from the 2025 downtown fire, raising $3,000 for the Ovid Local Development Corporation.

For a few hours, there were no worries about AI-generated music or disappearing orchestras. Just musicians, music, friends, and community.

A memorable night and a reminder of what live music can still do.

For the full Substack article, click here: https://boundarybreaks.substack.com/p/196-as-near-a-perfect-night-as-can

08/10/2026

For the second year in a row, Boundary Breaks and Fox Run have brought our wines together for our East-West Dinner series.

Our partnership with Fox Run goes back to 2011, when we were preparing for our first harvest and looking for a winery to make our wines. Fox Run’s winemaker, Peter Bell, agreed; but first, we had to meet his boss, owner Scott Osborn. Scott took a chance on us, and the rest is history.

Fifteen years later, Fox Run has become an important part of our story. Scott and Ruth have been true pillars of the Finger Lakes wine community, supporting new wineries, mentoring winemakers, and helping build the region we’re proud to call home.

Here’s to good wine, good friends, and the spirit of collaboration, and we’re looking forward to the second dinner at Fox Run on August 29.

For the full Substack article, click here: https://boundarybreaks.substack.com/p/195-the-friendliest-of-rivalries

08/05/2026

Meet Bri! Another member of our great team here at Boundary Breaks. Who brings her passion for teaching to our tasting room.

08/03/2026

In 2013, our website designer in New Zealand recommended a photographer in Brooklyn: Noah Kalina. That summer, Noah made his first visit to Boundary Breaks, the first of many.

This week, Noah returned for a two-day photo session. We're excited to share his latest work in the coming weeks.

In addition to photographing our winery and team, Noah created portraits of members of the Finger Lakes community who have supported Boundary Breaks or provided exceptional service over the years.

Coming soon are photographs that Noah took this past week. In the coming weeks, we will share many of them on our website. He has an extensive collection of portraits and other images. And this latest collection captures both the people and the place that have helped shape Boundary Breaks.

For the full Substack article, click here: https://boundarybreaks.substack.com/p/194-a-portrait-artist-returns

07/30/2026

All aboard! Come join Finger Lakes Rail Experience and us this summer for a memorable scenic train ride and wine tasting event on the Wine Train.

Boundary Breaks will be pouring on the Finger Lakes Wine Train the weekends of August 14th-16th and September 11th-13th.

For tickets, visit their site at https://flxrailexperience.com/wine-train/

07/27/2026

The vineyard has reached "cruising altitude."

Most of the season's handwork—from winter pruning through summer leaf removal—is complete, and our H-2A crew has returned home after another outstanding season. Their skill and dedication make everything we do possible.

Now the focus shifts. Over the next eight weeks, we'll protect the crop, improve soil health, stabilize erosion, and test new biological fungicides—all while preparing for harvest.

The busiest part of the season may be behind us, but some of our most important work is just beginning.

For the full Substack article, click here: https://boundarybreaks.substack.com/p/193-we-are-free-to-move-about-the

07/24/2026

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, community, and giving back!

On Saturday, August 1, Boundary Breaks will host the Seneca Summer Music Festival Orchestra for a free outdoor performance to celebrate the bicentennial of the Town of Lodi and benefit the redevelopment of downtown Ovid following last year's devastating fire.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, enjoy the breathtaking vineyard views, and help support a stronger future for our neighboring community. Donations will be accepted at the event.

Cousins Maine Lobster is available all day long from 11 AM- 7:30 PM outside of our Tasting Room.

The Seneca Summer Music Festival Orchestra will perform a free outdoor concert Aug. 1 at Boundary Breaks Vineyard in Lodi to support downtown Ovid redevelopment. The concert begins at 7 in the evening at the winery, 1568 Porter Covert Road, with donations benefiting the Ovid Local Development Corpor...