John and Marilyn Thomas founded Wildseed Farms, and their family brings five generations of farming experience. In 1981, John began planting wildflowers at a property near Eagle Lake after running American Hydro-Grass in Houston. Wildseed Farms officially started in 1982.
A timeline of growth
- 1989: The production fields opened to the public, and Marilyn started a gift shop in a renovated hay barn.
- 1993: The company bought about 217 acres near Fredericksburg, bringing its farmland to more than 600 acres.
- 1995: Construction began on the Market Center.
- 2015: The family planted its first vineyard.
- 2019: Wine production began. The vineyard covers 55 acres and 15 grape varieties.
- 2021: The wine tasting room opened.
What visitors find
The farm is known for wildflower, native grass and herb seeds, and runs a nursery with native plants, succulents and cactus. Visitors can walk the wildflower fields, taste estate wines and stop at the BrewBonnet Biergarten.
Know before you go
- Address: 100 Legacy Dr., Fredericksburg.
- Check the website for bloom updates and hours.
Wildseed Farms is a family business that grew a single idea into a Hill Country destination.
Featured photo: Wildseed Farms by Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.