How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 220000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Small Distillery Program?

Small Distillery Program is funded by Agricorp

What are Small Distillery Program's eligibility criterias?

Must be a Licensed Distillery meeting the Small Distillery definition (less than 600,000 litres of annual alcoholic Spirits sales in Ontario) Must be a legal entity with a valid Manufacturer’s Licence and On-Site Distillery Retail Store Authorization Worldwide Spirits Sales must be less than 900,000 litres in the previous calendar year

Small Distillery Program

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports Ontario small distilleries' business expansion and job creation

Small Distillery Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $220,000

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Agricorp

Program status

Closed

Overview of the Small Distillery Program program

The Small Distillery Program provides eligible Ontario small distilleries with up to $220,000 annually to support business growth and competitiveness. Funding is intended to help distilleries scale up operations, create jobs, and invest in expansion activities.

Financing terms and conditions

Grants of up to $4.42 per litre of eligible spirits sold, with a maximum of $220,000 per recipient per year.
For sales exceeding 300,000 litres, the grant payment is reduced proportionally by a phase-out rate (0.73) up to 600,000 litres; above 600,000 litres, no grant payment is provided.
If total payments to all recipients exceed the annual program cap, all grants are proportionately reduced by a proration rate until the cap is met.

Eligible projects & activities

Expansion and scaling of small distillery businesses to increase production capacity.
Investments aimed at supporting the growth and competitiveness of small distilleries in Ontario.
Projects that enable small distilleries to create jobs and transition into medium and large-sized enterprises.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 44,500

Implementing energy-efficient lighting in a local manufacturing facility

$ 52,000

Developing a training program for Indigenous youth in digital fabrication

$ 28,500

Renovating an art studio to improve wheelchair accessibility

$ 36,000

Piloting compostable packaging for a small food producer's product lines

$ 35,500

Launching an online ordering system for a cooperative grocery store

$ 61,000

Upgrading refrigeration systems with climate-friendly alternatives for food retail

Eligibility criteria of the Small Distillery Program program

The applicant must be a legal entity (sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association) and provide proof of legal status if requested.
The applicant must be a Licensed Distillery and classified as a Small Distillery based on the previous calendar year's sales.
The applicant must hold a valid Manufacturer’s Licence and a valid On-Site Distillery Retail Store Authorization.
The applicant must have worldwide spirits sales of less than 900,000 litres in the previous calendar year, including affiliated distilleries and contract production (excluding contract bottling).
The application form must be submitted complete and on time, and the applicant must be in compliance with all applicable laws and program guidelines.

Who is eligible?

Small licensed distilleries in Ontario
Alcoholic spirits producers with sales under the specified volume thresholds

Who is not eligible

Distilleries with more than 600,000 litres of Spirits sales annually in Ontario.
Distilleries with worldwide Spirits sales of 900,000 litres or more in the previous calendar year.
Applicants that are not a legal entity (sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association).
Any distillery that does not hold the required valid licences and authorizations (e.g., Manufacturer’s Licence, On-Site Distillery Retail Store Authorization).
More than one applicant from the same group of Affiliated Licensed Distilleries (only one affiliate within the group may apply per program year).

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

How to apply to the Small Distillery Program program

Step 1: Receive Application Form
- Agricorp will send application forms to potentially eligible small distilleries.
Step 2: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form with required details, including sales volumes, legal name, and affiliated business information.
- Provide information on Worldwide Spirits Sales and Ontario sales from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
- Include details on sales of Spirits Fully Produced On-Site and not Fully Produced On-Site within the specified period.
- List operation names and locations for other production facilities as required.
- Self-report on on-site store sales and sign an attestation confirming the accuracy of the provided information.
Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form by email to cidery.distillery@agricorp.com.
- Ensure the submission is made no later than 11:59 p.m. on June 11, 2024.
Step 4: Respond to Additional Information Requests
- If requested by Agricorp, provide any additional supporting documentation to assess or determine eligibility.
Step 5: Await Review and Notification
- Agricorp will review the application to determine if the Program eligibility criteria have been met.

Additional information

If total potential payments to all eligible recipients exceed the annual program funding cap, grant payments will be proportionally reduced for all beneficiaries.
Recipients may be required to complete a survey at the end of the Program Year as a condition for receiving funding in subsequent years.
Information provided under the program may be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Ontario) or by legal order.
Recipients must retain information supporting their eligibility for seven years from the end of the Program Year.

Contact Agricorp

cidery.distillery@agricorp.com

1-888-247-4999

Apply to this program

The Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative supports agri-food processors in increasing energy efficiency.