Open
Wine Sector Support Program
Supports Canadian wineries adapting to industry challenges
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : May 29, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides non-repayable support of up to $25 million per fiscal year to help licensed Canadian wineries adapt to ongoing and emerging industry challenges. It supports the production of eligible bulk wine fermented in Canada from domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products owned by the applicant.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Ensure financial sustainability
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : May 29, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
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
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Production of eligible bulk wine fermented in Canada from domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products owned by the applicant.
- Production of eligible bulk wine directly by the applicant.
- Production of eligible bulk wine by another licensed Canadian winery on the applicant’s behalf under a prior contract or agreement.
- Production of eligible bulk wine by the applicant for another licensed Canadian winery under a prior contract or agreement.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Copy of the CRA federal wine licence letter
- Production records verifying eligible wine volumes, fermentation dates, and primary agricultural products used
- Documents proving ownership of the primary agricultural products used
- If applicable, transaction records with other licensed wineries for contracted production
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian wineries producing wine for commercial sale
- For-profit corporations and businesses
- Sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-operatives, and trusts
- Not-for-profit academic institutions
Who is not eligible
- Businesses that only package wine and do not produce it
- Producers of wine products made from 100% fermented Canadian apples only
- Producers of wine products made from 100% fermented Canadian honey only
- Businesses producing wine from pomace or piquette
- Businesses producing wine from processed inputs that did not originate from primary agricultural products they owned
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Wine products made from 100% fermented Canadian apples, such as apple cider not fermented with another primary agricultural product
- Wine products made from 100% fermented Canadian honey, such as mead not fermented with another primary agricultural product
- Wine products made from processed inputs that did not immediately originate from primary agricultural products owned by the applicant
- Wine products made from pomace or piquette
- Wine produced before April 1, 2025, wine that was packaged but not produced by the applicant, and wine with an excise duty exemption available beyond June 30, 2022
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- An acknowledgement notice is sent after submission.
- The application is checked for completeness, and missing or incorrect information may delay processing or lead to ineligibility.
- A confirmation notice and program identification number (PIN) are sent within 15 business days of receiving a complete application.
- Applications are assessed after the intake period closes, and additional information may be requested during the review.
- Applicants receive an approval or ineligible notice; approved applicants must sign a grant agreement, with decisions targeted within 100 business days and payment within 30 business days after all required completed documents are received.
Additional information
- Funding received must be reported for tax purposes, and recipients will receive an AGR-1 Statement of Farm-Support Payments.
- Only one application may be submitted per CRA business number or trust number.
- Quebec-based organizations may need to demonstrate compliance with the M-30 Act before entering into a grant agreement.
- Applicants must complete self-identification questions, but selecting “Decline to Identify” does not affect assessment.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Wine Sector Support Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Wine Sector 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.
What is the Wine Sector Support Program?
This program provides non-repayable support of up to $25 million per fiscal year to help licensed Canadian wineries adapt to ongoing and emerging industry challenges. It supports the production of eligible bulk wine fermented in Canada from domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products owned by the applicant.
How much funding can be received?
Wine Sector Support Program Funds up to $25,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Wine Sector Support Program program?
To be eligible for the Wine Sector Support Program program, you must:
Canadian wine producer for commercial sale
Valid CRA federal wine licence
Minimum $50,000 gross wine sales
What expenses are eligible under Wine Sector Support Program?
Production of eligible bulk wine fermented in Canada from domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products owned by the applicant.
Production of eligible bulk wine directly by the applicant.
Production of eligible bulk wine by another licensed Canadian winery on the applicant’s behalf under a prior contract or agreement.
Production of eligible bulk wine by the applicant for another licensed Canadian winery under a prior contract or agreement.
Who can I contact for more information about the Wine Sector Support Program?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) by email at aafc.wssp-pasv.aac@agr.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-246-4682.
Where is the Wine Sector Support Program available?
The Wine Sector Support Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Wine Sector Support Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Wine Sector Support Program is a Grant and Funding