Planting Seeds at the Market, Growing Wine in the Valley

A Brownsville Farmers Market success story: Bonita Flats Vineyard and Winery

June 30, 2025

Bonita Flats Vineyard and Winery began with a dream and a love for wine. During her time at the Brownsville Farmers Market, Melissa Delgado, owner and manager of Bonita Flats, helped establish wellness programs that are still running today.

The market was about more than selling food. It focused on building relationships, supporting small businesses and creating a place where people could come together.

That spirit shaped everything she did next.

“The farmers market taught me how to serve my community,” Delgado says. “How to grow something from the ground up, and how to believe in what I was building.”

While Delgado served as executive director of the Brownsville Wellness Coalition, she became a vendor at the Brownsville Farmers Market when a local kettle corn vendor retired, and she and her family bought the equipment and stepped in.

What began as a weekend activity grew into a small family business.

“It was supposed to be something simple,” Delgado said. “The kids looked forward to Saturdays and we all loved being part of the energy and connection at the market.”

Dorado Delgado, Melissa Delgado’s son, poses in front of bins filled with freshly harvested grapes at Bonita Flats Vineyard and Winery.

The experience taught her more than she expected. She learned how to engage with customers, how to prepare for events and how to manage both the fun and the hard work that comes with selling at the farmers market. 

It also gave her a close-up look at what it takes to grow a small business from the ground up.

“From setup to sales to building relationships, it was hands-on learning every single week,” Delgado said.

Years later, those lessons carried over into the founding of Bonita Flats. Though they no longer sell at the farmers market, Delgado credits her time there as the foundation of their success.

The farmers market gave her a deep appreciation for local food, sustainability and the power of community.

“At the farmers market, I saw how much impact local food can have,” she said. “It taught me to value sustainable practices and reminded me that community is at the heart of everything.”

Today, Bonita Flats is a growing vineyard and winery in South Texas, welcoming families and visitors to enjoy wines made on-site. Though it opened to the public three years ago, the winery continues to grow each year.