Ontario Supporting Wineries, Cideries and Agri-Tourism Industry in Niagara

July 12, 2023

Beamsville – The Ontario government is continuing to support the province’s wine and cider industries through the launch of a new Winery Agri-Tourism Economic Relief Grant. This $10 million grant will provide support to eligible wineries and cideries with on-site stores across the province in 2023-24 to help them remain competitive and grow agricultural production and jobs in Rural Ontario.

“Our government’s new Winery Agri-Tourism Economic Relief Grant will help Niagara wineries remain competitive and successful,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“This week’s announcement builds on the support our government has provided to Niagara to support agri-tourism, new jobs and local businesses, including wineries in the largest grape growing jurisdiction on the East Coast of North America.”

“We are continuing to build a Strong Ontario with a strong wine and cider sector in Rural Ontario and across the province,” said Rick Byers, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance.

“This $10 million grant will help Ontario’s world class wineries and cideries continue to grow their operations, create new jobs and attract more visitors to Rural Ontario.”

“Our government is proud to support Ontario’s wine, grape and cider industries as they continue to showcase their amazing regional products throughout the province,” said Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

“We look forward to working with these sectors to help them achieve their growth potential, while increasing awareness of their amazing products and ensuring they are competitive.”

Ontario’s wineries and cideries are an important part of building Ontario’s economy. The wine industry’s 2030 vision credits the sector with an annual contribution of $5.5 billion to the province’s economy and around 22,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the agriculture, food and beverage, hospitality, tourism, education and research sectors.

“As regional leaders in tourism and agriculture, we are deeply appreciative and thankful to the Ontario government for the new winery agri-tourism grant. This grant is an important economic lifeline to Ontario VQA wineries and their businesses, helps reduce longstanding regulatory burdens all while sustaining growth, protecting rural jobs and spurring reinvestment in our industry,” said Richard Linley, President of Ontario Craft Wineries.

The new Winery Agri-Tourism Economic Relief Grant will build on the government’s previous relief initiatives. The grant will provide over 200 Ontario wineries and cideries with a one-time payment in Fall 2023 based on sales in on-site stores (pending applications received and confirmed eligibility).

The grant will be administered through Agricorp with more information on the launch of applications expected later this summer. To be eligible, wineries and cideries must operate an on-site store and meet the other eligibility requirements set out in the Program Guidelines, such as being in good standing with their tax obligations to the Ministry of Finance.