Open
Wine Sector Support Program
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Supports Canadian wineries in adapting to industry challenges
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Wine Sector Support Program provides up to $25 million annually to licensed Canadian wineries to help them adapt to economic challenges, with funding based on the production of eligible bulk wine fermented from domestic and/or imported agricultural products. The program specifically targets financial support to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of the Canadian wine industry.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : March 1, 2025
- Closing date : March 31, 2027
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- $ 50,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- National
Activities funded
- Financial support for licensed Canadian wineries producing bulk wine from domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products.
- Assistance for Canadian wineries in adapting to economic impacts and maintaining financial resilience.
- Support for maintaining stable regional production levels and the number of licensed wine producers in each region.
- Financial contributions aimed at keeping the net operating income of licensed Canadian wineries stable.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 50,000
Building a local food distribution network
$ 47,000
Developing a recycling initiative for electronics
$ 55,000
Launching a youth entrepreneurship mentorship program
$ 30,000
Creating a community art installation with local artists
$ 60,000
Implementing an eco-friendly packaging line
$ 40,000
Establishing a digital literacy program for seniors
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a not-for-profit academic institution or a for-profit organization producing wine in Canada for commercial sale, such as businesses, corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-operatives, or trusts.
- The applicant must hold a federal wine licence issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) under section 14 of the Excise Act, 2001, which is valid at the time of application and up to or after March 31, 2026.
- The applicant must have produced wine fermented in Canada using domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
- The applicant must have grown, produced, or otherwise owned the primary agricultural products used for wine production.
- The applicant must have generated a minimum of $50,000 in total gross sales in the previous calendar or fiscal year of all wine packaged in Canada.
- The applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit academic institutions producing wine in Canada for commercial sale
- For-profit organizations producing wine in Canada for commercial sale, including businesses and corporations
- Sole proprietorships involved in wine production for commercial sale
- Partnerships producing wine commercially in Canada
- Co-operatives engaged in commercial wine production
- Trusts involved in the commercial production of wine in Canada
Who is not eligible
- Wine products producers using 100% fermented Canadian apples.
- Producers of wine products made from 100% fermented Canadian honey (e.g., mead not fermented with any other primary agricultural product).
- Wine producers using processed inputs (such as juice, concentrate, syrup, or must) not originating from owned primary agricultural products.
- Wine products created from pomace and/or piquette.
- Producers of wine products that were manufactured before April 1, 2024.
- Entities packaging wine products, but not producing them themselves.
- Wine products with an excise duty exemption available beyond June 30, 2022.
How to apply
1
Program Overview
- The program is open for applications for the 2025-26 year
- Applications will be accepted until May 23, 2025
- The program ends on March 31, 2027
2
Check Eligibility
- Eligibility criteria include being a not-for-profit or for-profit wine producer
- A federal wine licence issued by CRA is required
- A minimum of $50,000 in total gross sales should have been generated in the previous year
3
Prepare Documentation
- Prepare necessary documents, such as a copy of the federal wine licence
- Verify that production records match total litres in application
- Provide ownership documents of primary agricultural products used in wine production
4
Complete the Application Form
- Complete the application form available as a fillable PDF
- Include the required documents with your form
- Ensure all mandatory fields are completed
5
Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form and required documents by email
- Contact the program if any issues arise during submission
6
Post-Submission Process
- Receive an acknowledgement notice after application submission
- Await confirmation notice and unique program identification number (PIN)
- Be prepared for requests for additional information from the program
Additional information
- Successful applicants will be required to adhere to the terms outlined in the grant agreement before receiving funding.
- All information submitted is subject to verification and audit by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
- An acknowledgment notice confirming receipt of your application will be issued, but this does not guarantee funding.
- Applications will not be processed until they are deemed complete by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
- If applicants experience any issues during the application process, they are encouraged to contact the program directly via the provided email or phone number.
Contacts
aafc.wssp-pasv.aac@agr.gc.ca
1-877-246-4682
