WENATCHEE, WA - Calling all cherry lovers: Kyle’s Pick® cherries will return during Stemilt’s Washington cherry season and are backed by a new selective quality control process. Developed through a multi-stage research and development (R&D) and quality control program, Kyle’s Pick represents the peak of cherry excellence, delivering fruit that meets ultra-premium standards for size, firmness, color, and flavor. Each cherry pack is designed to captivate high-end shoppers and drive sales with a top-tier eating experience. Learn more about Kyle’s Pick in the video below.

Kyle’s Pick is named after 4th generation cherry grower, Kyle Mathison, and honors the high standards he has for cherries, and the qualities he aims to grow at his own Stemilt Hill orchards in Washington State. He seeks to grow cherries that build memory and trust with shoppers. Memory comes from biting into a cherry that explodes with flavor, and trust is built by delivering on that experience every time a shopper chooses Kyle’s Pick.

“We’re looking at various characteristics of cherries to offer the finest fruit of the season,” said Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s Marketing Director, in a recent press release. “Every day, our R&D and field teams will evaluate orchard lots that have the potential to produce cherries for the Kyle’s Pick program. Don’t worry if you don’t see Kyle’s Pick available some days, it just means the fruit didn’t meet the quality we expect for this pack. It’s all part of keeping the bar high.”

The selection process begins during the weeks leading up to harvest, when data is collected from the orchards that show premium potential. Each lot will undergo a rigorous quantitative analysis driven by our R&D and field teams. The final score of the cherries is determined in part by Dr. Rob Blakey, Director of Research and Development, who leads the final tasting panel.

“Before a cherry is packed under the Kyle’s Pick label, it must earn a 90 or higher on our proprietary scoring system, which we call our ‘pickiest certification process,” added Shales. “Only those cherries that excel in both texture and flavor are selected for Kyle’s Pick. With new science, and a passion for growing some of the greatest-eating fruit of the season still in our pockets, we strive to help retailers win at the point of sale with this season’s Kyle’s Pick premium cherries!”

Kyle’s Pick has been a trusted name since 2013, rebranded in 2023 to stand out as an ultra-premium cherry pack. With stricter quality scoring and season-long availability, it helps retailers reach flavor-focused shoppers willing to pay for top-tier fruit. Kyle’s Pick will be available in 1 lb. top seal, clamshells, and a premium box for building high-impact displays.