Keel Farms

Keel Farms is a charming multi-purpose agricultural complex cozily situated in Plant City, very close to Tampa, Florida, USA. It is a true family enterprise that harmoniously combines a winery, a brewery, an extensive farm, and an attractive entertainment space. Originally known as Keel & Curley Winery, this place was founded in 2003 and has since evolved into a popular regional tourist gem, attracting visitors with its unique blend of agritourism and gastronomic pleasures.

The Keel Farms territory is impressive in its scale: fertile agricultural lands stretch out here, where various berries, including juicy blueberries and aromatic blackberries, are lovingly grown. These berries become the basis for the production of signature wines. In addition, the farm features modern production facilities, a cozy tasting room where you can sample the products, a restaurant offering dishes made from local ingredients, and picturesque venues for various events and festivals.

Keel Farms is rightfully famous for its exquisite fruit wines, among which blueberry wine holds a special place—a real hit among visitors. Beer lovers will also not be disappointed, as excellent craft beer is brewed here under the Two Henry's Brewing Company brand. It's not just a farm, but a whole world of tastes and experiences, attracting tourists who want to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of hospitality, learn more about local production, and enjoy the gifts of Florida's land.

If you are planning to visit Keel Farms or would like to clarify any information, you can contact the farm representatives in several ways. Up-to-date contact information, including phone, email, and address, is usually available on the official website or on social media.

Visitors to Keel Farms can enjoy a wide range of engaging activities, and one of the most popular is certainly the tasting. Here, you will be invited to try a variety of fruit wines created with love at the local winery. The farm takes special pride in its blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry wines, as well as other seasonal drinks. Beer enthusiasts will not be disappointed either—Keel Farms brews its own craft beer in various styles. Tastings take place in a special room where experienced sommeliers will not only offer you drinks but also tell you about their production features.

For those who are hungry, the Keel Farms Agrarian Kitchen & Bar restaurant operates on-site. This is a wonderful place to taste dishes prepared from the freshest local products, many of which are grown right here at Keel Farms. The menu features a variety of appetizers, salads, hearty sandwiches, flavorful pizza, and main courses that pair perfectly with the farm's signature wines and beers. This is a great opportunity to get to know the gastronomic side of Florida.

In addition to tastings and delicious food, Keel Farms regularly serves as a venue for various events. Live music often plays here, and vibrant festivals and interesting cooking or winemaking workshops are held. Those interested can take a tour of the winery and brewery to see the beverage creation process with their own eyes and learn more about it. And if you just want to enjoy nature, you can take a walk through the farm's picturesque grounds, admiring Florida's rural landscapes and breathing in the fresh air.

Keel Farms is located at 5210 Thonotosassa Road in Plant City, which is approximately a 25-minute drive east of downtown Tampa. The most convenient way to reach the farm is certainly by car. If you are traveling from Tampa, your route will take you along Interstate I-4 heading east. You will need to take Exit 19 (Branch Forbes Road) and then follow the road signs to Thonotosassa Road. A pleasant bonus for all road travelers is the availability of free parking directly on the farm premises.

If you plan to use public transport, it is worth noting that routes to Keel Farms are quite limited. The nearest bus stop is some distance from the farm. Therefore, after arriving by bus, you will likely need to use a taxi or popular rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft to cover the remaining stretch of the journey.

For organized groups, Keel Farms offers a convenient service: the possibility of arranging a transfer by prior agreement. This can be a great solution for a comfortable trip with a large group. Additionally, tourists staying in Tampa are encouraged to look into guided tour offers. Many of them include a visit to Keel Farms in their program, along with other regional attractions. Information about such tours can be obtained at Tampa tourist information centers or found and booked online through relevant services.

The history of Keel Farms is a fascinating story of how surplus crops can turn into a thriving business. It all began in 2003 when Joe Keel, a former firefighter and blueberry farmer, faced a surplus of berries. Instead of letting the crop go to waste, he decided to get creative and began experimenting with blueberry wine production right in his garage. The first batch was modest—only 10 gallons—but the drink was so well-liked by friends and family that Joe realized this venture had great potential.

Inspired by his initial success, Joe Keel, along with partners, officially founded Keel & Curley Winery in 2005. The name combined the surnames of the founder and his partners. The enterprise quickly gained momentum, expanding its range with new varieties of fruit wines created from local nature's bounty. Word of the high-quality and original drinks produced near Tampa spread, attracting more and more connoisseurs.

The farm's development didn't stop there. In 2013, a significant event took place on the winery grounds—the opening of the Two Henry's Brewing Company. This name was not chosen by chance: it immortalized the names of railroad magnates Henry Flagler and Henry Plant, who played a key role in the development of Florida and, consequently, the entire USA. In 2020, to better reflect the diversity of its activities—which include not only beverage production but also agriculture, a restaurant, and event hosting—the enterprise was renamed Keel Farms.

Today, Keel Farms is a thriving family business proudly managed by the founder's son, Clay Keel. He carefully preserves the traditions of quality and innovation established by his father. The farm continues to delight visitors not only with excellent wines and beer but also with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, making it a must-visit spot for everyone who wants to experience agritourism and the gastronomic delights of Florida.

To fully experience Keel Farms, it is recommended to allocate 2 to 4 hours. This time is usually sufficient to leisurely enjoy all the farm's main offerings. You can take part in a wine and beer tasting, which typically takes about 30–45 minutes, and learn about the intricacies of their production. If you plan to have lunch or dinner at the local restaurant, add another 1–1.5 hours to this.

In addition, many visitors enjoy taking a tour of the winery and brewery, which lasts about 30–45 minutes. The remaining time can be spent on a pleasant walk through the farm's picturesque grounds, admiring the well-kept lands and enjoying the atmosphere of the place. Thus, in 2 to 4 hours, you will get a fairly complete picture of Keel Farms and be able to enjoy the main activities.

It is worth considering that if your visit coincides with a special event, festival, or concert, you might need significantly more time—up to a whole day. In such cases, the program is usually more intense, and to have time to see and participate in everything, it's better not to limit yourself with strict timeframes.

Keel Farms warmly welcomes visitors seven days a week. From Monday to Thursday, the farm's doors are open for you from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. If you plan a visit on Friday or Saturday, you can enjoy the farm's atmosphere longer—from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. On Sundays, Keel Farms is open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

While the farm is generally open year-round, it is worth remembering that working hours may change depending on the season or during special events and festivals. Therefore, to ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible and you are aware of all current details—including the possible need for advance ticket booking or tour registration—it is strongly recommended to check the latest information on the official Keel Farms website or confirm by phone before your trip.

A visit to Keel Farms will undoubtedly give you many vivid impressions. However, to make your trip to the Tampa area even more rich and memorable, it is worth paying attention to other interesting places located nearby. Exploring the surroundings will allow you to dive deeper into the region's atmosphere, discover new facets of its culture and nature, and diversify your vacation program.

Near Keel Farms, there are other attractions that may interest travelers with a variety of preferences. This is a great opportunity to expand your horizons and enjoy your trip to the USA even more. Below is a list of some of them, indicating the approximate distance.