Ep. 055 Daniel Budmen, Scout Vineyards

In this grounded and thoughtful conversation, I chat with Daniel Budmen, co-founder of Scout Vineyards on the west side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York. What started as a shared dream between two young winemakers evolved into something much more — a story of community, intention, and inherited wisdom.

Daniel shares what drew him and his wife Olivia back to the Finger Lakes, their mission-driven approach to starting Scout Vineyards, and the deep roots of collaboration that define the region. We explore the often-overlooked values baked into winegrowing — patience, generosity, stewardship — and what it means to carry forward both ancestral and community-driven values in every bottle.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Why a sense of place and people defines the Finger Lakes wine region

• The origin story of Scout Vineyards, and why its name carries layered meaning

• How mentorship, shared wisdom, and generosity shape the winemaking community

• The importance of mission statements in aligning growth with purpose

• What happens when wine becomes more than a product — and instead, a shared story