VQA Wine Support Program

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be a legal entity that is a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or unincorporated

association (Articles of Incorporation or other acceptable proof of legal name and status must be made available to Agricorp upon request);

1. Be either a Licensed Winery, or a corporation that has a controlling interest (e.g.

shareholder authorized to influence major corporate decisions) in one or more Affiliated Licensed Wineries;

1. Have sales of Eligible VQA Wines in Ontario or be deemed eligible by OMAFA to have

sales of Eligible VQA Wines in Ontario assigned from a former business to the Applicant;

1. Be an active producer of VQA wine at the time of Application and at each subsequent

attestation

1. Submit a completed application form by the deadline established in these

Guidelines;

1. Agree to comply with all of the terms and conditions of the Program as set out in

these Guidelines;

1. Be in compliance with and remain in compliance with the Requirements of Laws; and
2. If required, complete the questionnaire of wine and grape businesses, conducted by

OMAFA, as part of the Ontario government’s Wine and Grape Strategy.

Affiliated Licensed Wineries Only one Licensed Winery of a group of Affiliated Licensed Wineries may apply to the Program in a Funding Year. The VQA Wine Sales Data from all Affiliated Licensed Wineries will be totaled under the one application for purposes of calculating the Grant Payment, if any.

Incorporated Licensed Wineries that are affiliated body corporates within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) will be considered to be one entity for the purpose of applying for the Program in a Funding Year, regardless of the number of AGCO manufacturers' licences held by the Affiliated Licensed Wineries.

The following are additional conditions for funding:

Grant Payment Recipients and Applicants must provide accurate, timely and complete information to Agricorp when requested, including, without limitation, supporting documentation as required to verify the eligibility of the Applicant or to verify the accuracy of the Grant Payment to the Applicant. Any Applicant who provides false or misleading information to Agricorp and/or its authorized representative(s) may be disqualified and required to repay any Grant Payments received under the Program.

OMAFA Questionnaire of wine and grape businesses If requested, the Applicant must complete the questionnaire of wine and grape businesses, conducted by OMAFA as part of the Ontario Wine and Grape Strategy as a condition to receive a Quarterly Grant Payment.

Not eligible:

Eligible VQA Wines are limited to those sold through LCBO channels (including Grocery Store and Convenience Store) and On-Site Winery Retail Store channels, excluding

Wine that has been fortified with spirits (“Fortified Wine

Wine to which sugar, water or other ingredients not derived from grapes have been

added in excess of limits set out in the VQA standards

Wine sold through any channel not listed above, such as Direct to Licensees, Duty

Free, out-of-Province and Export