Wine Sector Support Program
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Who actually receives this funding
283 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 1,785 awards since 2022. Typical award: $23.8K. Half of all awards fall between $9.8K and $64.9K. The advertised maximum is $25M — most awards land closer to $23.8K. 95% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Beverage and tobacco mfg, Crop production, Food services. Top provinces: British Columbia 39% · Ontario 33% · Quebec 20%. Covers: AAFC Wine Sector Support Program contributions to Canadian wine producers (wineries and sole-proprietor wine farms). Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.
The typical Wine Sector Support Program award is $23.8K — the median of 1,785 awards since 2022, even though the program advertises up to $25M. In 2025, 283 businesses were funded; 95% were for-profit companies.
Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
A per-litre volume-based non-repayable grant for licensed Canadian wineries responding to trade challenges. AAFC calculates a per-litre payment rate by dividing the annual grant allocation by total eligible litres submitted by all applicants, up to a maximum of $25 million per recipient per fiscal year. Applications accepted annually by May 29 for the prior production year.
Eligibility Requirements
- Holds a valid federal wine licence from the Canada Revenue Agency (section 14, Excise Act, 2001), current through March 31, 2027 or later
- For-profit organization, not-for-profit academic institution, cooperative, trust, sole proprietorship, or partnership that produces wine in Canada for commercial sale
- Produced eligible bulk wine fermented in Canada from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
- Owned the primary agricultural products used to produce the wine (grown, produced, or purchased)
- Minimum $50,000 in total gross sales of all wine packaged in Canada during the previous calendar or fiscal year
- Legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Variable per-litre rate; maximum $25,000,000 per recipient per fiscal year
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Between intakes — 2025-26 intake closed June 5, 2026 (promoted deadline was May 29, 2026; program extended to June 5). No 2026-27 intake announced yet. Program ends March 31, 2027.
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win Wine Sector Support Program
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 5-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 5-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 2-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThis is an entitlement-style program — all eligible wineries who submit before May 29 receive payment.
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- No valid federal wine licence from CRA (provincial liquor licence is not sufficient)
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 2
Ineligible Expenses 6
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
Applying for Wine Sector Support Program? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow Wine Sector Support Program Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Wine Sector Support Program | Variable per-litre rate | Easy | Lump Sum | Between intakes —... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Wine Sector Support Program