PLANT CITY - Keel-&-Curry Winery founder Joe Keel has been running the business's annual Blueberry Festival for years under the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Now in its 11th year, the festival kicks off Saturday and Sunday and continues April 21 and 22 with the same winning formula it's used for years. The free festival will feature live entertainment, food and craft vendors, a kids' zone, an opportunity to pick your own blueberries, 4.2 million.
Keel is no longer actively seeking to sell the beloved Plant City property, but admits he's willing to listen to potential bidders. The property was taken off the market because no one could come close to matching the property's selling price.
"We're not beating down the door looking for someone, but if someone were to come along and say I'll pay you this amount of money, I would certainly entertain the offer," he said.
The 64-year-old Keel, a blueberry farmer, started the business in 2003 as a way to use what was left of his end-of-year crops. The winery began by producing 10 gallons of blueberry wine. Now, it produces 20,000 gallons of wine each year, with three varieties to choose from: sweet, semi-sweet and dry. Patrons also have seven types of fusion wines : a blend of grape wine and fruit juice : to choose from at the winery.
Contact Crystal Owens at hillsnews@tampabay.com.