Texas Distillery Crafts Gin From Native Juniper Species
Dr. Molly Cummings utilizes the state's diverse juniper biodiversity to produce distinct gin flavors.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Botany
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Founded in 2021, WildGins captures the unique flavor profiles of Texas juniper species through careful foraging and distillation. The company focuses on the state's eight distinct varieties of the plant.
Why it matters
By leveraging native juniper biodiversity, the distillery creates distinct gin profiles while fostering land preservation in West Texas. This approach highlights the connection between regional botanical diversity and commercial spirits production.
The distillery utilizes berries sourced from single trees, requiring harvesting every other year to maintain sustainability. Scientific oversight involves tracking weather patterns and berry ripeness to optimize the infusion process.
The players
Dr. Molly Cummings
She is the founder of WildGins who applies botanical research to the production of craft spirits.
The Nature Conservancy
This global environmental organization receives donations from the distillery to support land preservation efforts in West Texas.
The details
Berries harvested from across Texas are crushed to release natural oils and infused in grain neutral spirit before undergoing redistillation. This method allows Dr. Molly Cummings to capture specific traits from juniper varieties like the alligator juniper, which thrives at elevations above 5,000 feet.
Timeline
The Give a Wild Buck campaign launched in 2021.
Donations to The Nature Conservancy occur annually from November through February.
The Big Picture
This botanical-focused distillation method marks a significant departure from the 400-year history of juniper usage by prioritizing indigenous biodiversity over standardized imports. The shift emphasizes regional terroir and native flora over established global production norms.
Consumers can support regional conservation efforts through the Give a Wild Buck campaign, which donates $1 for every bottle sold. These proceeds directly fund land preservation projects throughout West Texas.
The takeaway
Understanding regional biodiversity allows for more sustainable and unique product development in the craft spirits industry. Distillers and foragers can support local ecosystems by linking sales revenue directly to conservation initiatives.
Further reading
Learn more about local vegetation and plant-based spirits in the Texas Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by International Business Times.
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