Stemilt Signs Commercial Agreement with Brandt’s Fruit Trees and LFP to Grow Ultra-Late Season KIR™ Cherry Varieties
April 8, 2026 | 3 min to read
WENATCHEE, Wash – Stemilt Growers, Licenses for Fruits and Plants (LFP), and Brandt’s Fruit Trees are proud to announce that they have signed a commercial agreement to grow the KIR™ series of cherries, a premium selection of late and ultra-late, dark-sweet and blush cherries bred in Germany.
This partnership brings together three multigeneration, family-owned and operated organizations with a shared passion for innovation in tree fruit and a commitment to delivering exceptional fruit to consumers. The agreement will allow Stemilt, and their licensed growers, to extend cherry season into September while also elevating the consumer’s eating experience for Stemilt World Famous cherries in July and August.
“Stemilt has been visiting LFP’s test blocks in Germany for almost 10 years now, so we are excited to see this long-term project move to the commercial stage,” explained Stemilt President, West Mathison. “This is an exciting agreement for Stemilt as we continue to find new ways to extend the cherry season and improve flavor and quality standards for our late-season programs.”
KIR is the brand name for a series of sweet cherries developed by Hilmar Gräb in Kettig, Germany. The Gräb family is focused on developing optimal cherry characteristics such as size, firmness, and flavor in the late and ultra-late ripening windows.
Brandt’s Fruit Trees is a family-run farming and nursery operation and the program manager for KIR cherries in the USA. The Brandt family works closely with global breeding programs and growers to introduce unique, high-quality fruit varieties to the marketplace. Their stewardship of the KIR program aligns with Stemilt’s longstanding mission to lead the industry in cherry innovation.
“Brandt’s Fruit Trees prides itself on cultivating long‑term relationships with breeders and growers alike,” said Kevin Brandt, Vice President and COO at Brandt’s Fruit Trees. “We love to see great products build great partnerships, and we’re proud to be part of this new and exciting program that will bring excellent cherries well into the summer months. We look forward to working closely with Stemilt as we continue to grow and support the KIR cherry varieties.”
This collaboration positions Stemilt to further expand its high-altitude A Half Mile Closer to the Moon® cherry program through the introduction of late-ripening, late-harvesting KIR cherries.
“In time, KIR cherries will help us expand our A Half Mile Closer to the Moon Cherry portfolio,” said 4th generation Stemilt cherry grower and owner, Kyle Mathison. “KIR cherries will elevate the consumer experience. These orchard locations offer warm days and cool nights that promote sugars, aromatics and firmness in the late summer.”
“We are thrilled to have found an exceptional cherry grower, Kyle Mathison, in Washington State and to be launching the commercial phase of the KIR Cherries with Stemilt,” said Hilmar Gräb, the breeder of KIR cherries. “These varieties are ideally suited to Stemilt Hill’s high-altitude orchards, where they produce high-quality and unique cherries that ripen well into September.”
Plantings of the KIR cherry varieties began at Stemilt and licensed growers in 2024 and are poised to become an important component of the company’s cherry program in the years ahead. These new selections are expected to help balance and extend the late-season cherry supply, supporting a more consistent and reliable end-of-season offering.
“Cherries are Stemilt’s passion,” said West Mathison. “We’re focused on cherry innovation, and this agreement marks a pivotal moment in Stemilt’s history as we work to extend the season further into September. We look forward to growing some of the season’s best cherries in partnership alongside other family tree fruit growers.”
About Stemilt
Stemilt is a leading grower, packer, and shipper of apples, pears, and cherries, with a legacy rooted in family farming and a passion for growing World Famous fruit. With vertically integrated operations and a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and flavor, Stemilt delivers fruit that delights from tree to table.