PLANT CITY, Fla. — Blueberries are currently ripening in Plant City.

What You Need To Know

  • 15th Blueberry Festival, courtesy of Keel and Curley Winery

  • Blueberry picking, wine tasting, camel rides

  • Free admission, $10 parking

  • DATES: March 30, April 6-7, April 13-4, April 20-21

And Clay Keel is checking on his crop.

“We should be able to get three to four pounds per bush out here,” he said, standing in a soggy blueberry field.

Keel is a second-generation blueberry farmer, and owner of Keel and Curley Winery.

They are 15 years into their Blueberry Festival, with the latest installment starting on March 30.

“We started making wine with leftover blueberries from our farming operations, Keel said.” “And now the wine is the biggest part of our business. We make about half a million bottles a year.”

The wine is on shelves at major retailers in throughout the state.

“We’ve been making wine here for a little over 20 years,” he said.

Sangria was one of their original flavors.

All of this started because of a little berry super food, nearly ready to be celebrated.

Factors for blueberry ripening: Sun, water and evening temperatures in the 70s.

“I don’t know that a lot of people want that. I don’t really want that. But the blueberry bush wants that,” said Keel.

And the keel blueberries will soon have some new friends in the form of muscadine grapes.

They’ve purchased property on Lake Thonotosassa and planted a vineyard.

But they remain committed to the little berry that’s given them so much.