VQA Wine Support Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

VQA Wine Support Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the VQA Wine Support Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

VQA Wine Support Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the VQA Wine Support Program?

VQA Wine Support Program is funded by Agricorp

Q: Who is eligible for the VQA Wine Support Program program?

To be eligible for the VQA Wine Support Program program, you must: • Must be a Licenced Winery or corporation with a controlling interest in one or more Affiliated Licenced Wineries • Must have production and sales of VQA Table Wines in Ontario, including through the LCBO • Must be a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the VQA Wine Support Program?

You can contact Agricorp by email at vqa@agricorp.com or by phone at 1-888-247-4999.

Q: Where is the VQA Wine Support Program available?

The VQA Wine Support Program program is available the province of ON.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports Ontario wineries in growing sales and tourism activities

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

The VQA Wine Support Program provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible Ontario VQA Table Wine sales made through the LCBO, with payments prorated if total applications exceed available funding. The program supports Ontario wineries in expanding their VQA wine business, encouraging competitiveness, innovation, and tourism development activities.

Financing terms and conditions

Grant payments are calculated as up to 50% of the supplier-quoted value of eligible VQA Table Wine Sales Data.
If total requested funding exceeds the program's budget, a proration rate will be applied to all grant payments.

Activities funded

Expansion and growth of the VQA wine business in Ontario.
Initiatives to increase the competitiveness and innovation of Ontario wineries.
Projects aimed at boosting the sale of Ontario VQA wines through the LCBO.
Tourism development activities related to Ontario's wine regions.
Marketing initiatives to promote Ontario VQA wines and wine tourism.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 50,000

Upgrade cold storage facilities for improved food safety and efficiency

$ 47,000

Implement an AI-powered accounting system with staff training workshops

$ 34,000

Develop zero-waste packaging for artisanal skincare product launch

$ 54,000

Launch a mobile outreach clinic for remote mental health access

$ 39,000

Create an online e-commerce platform for local artisans’ products

$ 52,500

Introduce solar panel array to reduce operational energy expenses

Eligibility

The applicant must be a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association with valid legal status documentation.
The applicant must be a licenced winery with an Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) manufacturer’s licence or a corporation with a controlling interest in one or more affiliated licenced wineries.
The applicant must have production and sales of Ontario VQA Table Wines, including sales through the LCBO, or be deemed eligible to have such sales assigned from a former business.
The applicant must submit a completed application form by the specified deadline.
The applicant must complete the 2024/2025 questionnaire of wine and grape businesses conducted by OMAFA.

Who is eligible?

Ontario licenced wineries
Corporations with a controlling interest in one or more affiliated licenced wineries

Who is not eligible

Wineries that are not licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Non-VQA wine producers, such as fruit wine makers or those exclusively producing ice wines or non-VQA wines.
Wineries that do not sell VQA Table Wines through the LCBO (including grocery channels) in Ontario.
Affiliated winery groups where more than one affiliated winery attempts to submit an application for the same funding year (only one application per affiliated group is allowed).

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

How to apply

Step 1: Receive Application Form
- Agricorp will send the application form to each prospective applicant, along with the applicant’s VQA Table Wine Sales Data.
Step 2: Complete Application Form
- Fill in all required sections of the application form accurately and completely.
Step 3: Gather Supporting Documentation
- Prepare all necessary supporting documents to verify eligibility and sales data, if requested by Agricorp.
Step 4: Submit Application
- Send the completed application form and documentation to vqa@agricorp.com by May 29, 2025, at 11:59 pm EDT.
Step 5: Application Review
- Agricorp reviews applications to ensure Program criteria and requirements are met.
- Respond to any requests from Agricorp for additional or clarifying documentation.
Step 6: Grant Payment Notification
- If approved, receive a notification about the status of the grant and any corresponding payment details.

Additional information

Only one application may be submitted per group of affiliated licensed wineries within a single funding year.
Applicants and recipients may be subject to audits or investigations by Agricorp, OMAFA, or their representatives, requiring full cooperation and access to relevant records.
Guidelines for the program may be revised at any time, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm they are using the most recent version before applying.
Information submitted may be disclosed under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Ontario) or by legal order.

Contacts

vqa@agricorp.com

1-888-247-4999

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the VQA Wine Support Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the VQA Wine Support Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.