Farm, winery squeezes new revenue streams with fruitful expansion

Sometimes the best business ideas come from raw experimentation, rather than a specific plan. A fast-growing Plant City winery is Exhibit A.

By Brian Hartz
| 5:00 a.m. August 25, 2023

Keel Farms President Clay Keel took over the business from his father, Joe Keel.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Bottom Line

Key takeaway: Plant City’s Keel Farms has made a remarkable transformation from a wholesaler of blueberries and strawberries to a prominent producer of wine, beer and cider, prompting the creation of a complementary business, Keel & Curley Winery, that now drives the majority of revenue growth.

Core challenge: Pandemic-driven logistical issues continue to affect Keel Farms and Keel & Curley Winery, so much so that President Clay Keel decided to have its cider made completely offsite rather than have apples and juice shipped to Florida.

What’s next: The farm and winery have new a sponsorship deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2023 season, and plans are in the works for a new vineyard, which will grow muscadine grapes, on eight acres on the shores of Lake Thonotosassa.