Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants – Round 8

Purpose and Program Overview

The Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants program aims to support wine and cider producers who add value by encouraging visitors to Australian wine regions. It provides an annual payment linked to eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales, thereby promoting wine tourism and strengthening regional economies.

Total funding under the program is capped at $10 million for each financial year. Round 8 covers sales from the 2025–26 financial year. The grant forms part of a broader suite of Commonwealth measures supporting the grape and wine sector following reforms to Wine Equalisation Tax arrangements. Wine Australia administers the program on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

This demand-driven grant delivers direct financial support to eligible producers based on verified cellar door activity rather than project proposals. It complements other industry assistance, including the permanent increase to the Wine Equalisation Tax rebate cap.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Up to $100,000 (GST exclusive) per eligible applicant, calculated as 29 per cent of the notional wholesale selling price of qualifying rebatable domestic cellar door sales
• Application open and close dates: Opens 24 August 2026; closes 5.00 pm ACDT on 23 October 2026
• Eligible industries or business types: Wine or cider producers
• Required co-contributions: None
• Location/state/territory applicability: Australia-wide, provided the applicant or related entity owned or leased a physical cellar door in Australia during the relevant financial year

Priority Sectors

The program targets wine and cider producers. No additional priority sectors are specified beyond this focus. It remains open to all eligible producers meeting the sales and operational criteria.

Funding Scope

Funding is structured as a single annual payment rather than multiple streams.

• Minimum and maximum amounts: No formal minimum; maximum of $100,000 (GST exclusive) per applicant
• Categories or streams: Single stream based on eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales (sales used to meet the $1,207,000 threshold are excluded)
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Relates to sales occurring in the 2025–26 financial year. Payment is made as a one-off grant following assessment, with no acquittal or ongoing project reporting required.

If total eligible applications exceed the $10 million annual cap, individual grants are reduced proportionally at a consistent rate across all approved applicants.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements for Round 8:

• Be a wine or cider producer.
• Be a legal entity registered for GST with an active Australian Business Number.
• Have made at least $1,207,000 (GST exclusive) in sales of rebatable wine in the 2025–26 financial year
• Accrue rebatable domestic cellar door sales in excess of any such sales used to meet the $1,207,000 threshold.
• Have paid the Wine Equalisation Tax on all eligible sales used in the application
• Have owned or leased a physical cellar door in Australia during 2025–26 (or have a related entity that did so)
• Hold a liquor licence valid for the 2025–26 financial year.
• Ensure no associated producer has already applied for the grant in the same financial year.
• Submit a completed statutory declaration, evidence of ownership or lease of the physical cellar door, and evidence of a valid liquor licence.

At least 50 per cent of the rebatable domestic cellar door sales claimed must consist of sales from the physical cellar door.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant is not project-based and does not fund specific activities or purchases. It provides a calculated payment based on verified eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales from the relevant financial year. Qualifying sales include those occurring at a physical cellar door (including orders placed on-site for later delivery), provided they meet the definition of rebatable wine under the Wine Equalisation Tax legislation and the transaction occurs while the applicant or related entity owns or leases the premises.

Online-only sales, mail orders completed after a visit, and wine club memberships initiated online generally do not qualify as physical cellar door sales.

Assessment Process

The grant is demand-driven rather than competitive. Wine Australia assesses all applications for eligibility and completeness. Supporting documentation is reviewed, and the CEO of Wine Australia makes the final funding decision.

Key evaluation focuses on:

• Confirmation that all eligibility criteria are met
• Verification of claimed sales figures and supporting evidence
• Calculation of the grant amount according to the 29 per cent formula, subject to the $100,000 cap and any pro-rata reduction if the program is oversubscribed

No assessment of project merit, strategic alignment, or value for money beyond eligibility is undertaken. Qualitative information collected in the application is used only for program evaluation purposes.

Recent Program Updates

Round 8 opened on 24 August 2026 for 2025–26 financial year sales. The program continues under the $30 million extension announced for three years. Guidelines were released on 12 August 2026. The annual funding cap remains $10 million, with the individual maximum at $100,000 (GST exclusive). Applicants must re-register accounts in the updated online portal even if they have applied previously.

Application Tips

Applicants should carefully verify that all eligibility criteria are satisfied before commencing an application. Key documents, including the statutory declaration template, evidence of cellar door ownership or lease (with map page where applicable), and a valid liquor licence, must be prepared in advance. Accurate calculation of the notional wholesale selling price is essential; the Australian Taxation Office provides guidance on the two acceptable methods.

Applications must be submitted through the Enquire grant portal by the deadline. Incomplete applications or those missing required attachments will not proceed. Producers should confirm that no associated entity has already lodged an application for the same financial year. Maintaining clear financial records for five years after the relevant financial year is required for potential audit purposes.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants program at Wine Australia and other associated Australian government websites.