Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program (WVEDG)

About this funding opportunity

Turn on more accessible mode

Turn off more accessible mode

Sign In

Menu Menu

Maryland.gov State Directory State Agencies Online Services About Commerce Financial Incentives News, Events & Documents Press Room Events Calendar Document Library MDBIZ News Blog Why Maryland

Press Room

Events Calendar

Document Library

MDBIZ News Blog Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program (WVEDG)

Page Content

Maryland's Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program provides financial assistance to individuals and corporations to establish a new winery or vineyard in the State or complete capital improvements at an existing winery or vineyard. Commerce will provide a grant to an individual or corporation for 25% of “qualified capital expenses” (as defined in Ch. 358 of 2022). BENEFITS

A Maryland Winery/Vineyard may be qualified for a grant equal to 25% of qualified capital expenses. ELIGIBILITY

A qualified winery is defined as an establishment licensed by the Comptroller of Maryland as either a Class 3 or a Class 4 winery pursuant to Article 2B, §§ 2-204 and 2-205, Annotated Code of Maryland.

A qualified vineyard is defined as agricultural lands located in Maryland consisting of at least one contiguous acre used solely to grow grapes and other plants that will be used in the production of wine by a winery licensed by the Comptroller of Maryland.

Qualified capital expenses must be made in connection with the establishment of new wineries or vineyards, or capital improvements made to existing wineries or vineyards in Maryland.

"Qualified capital expenses" include expenditures made by the taxpayer for the purchase and installation of equipment or agricultural materials for use in the production of agricultural products at a vineyard or in a winery. Qualified capital expenses do not include the cost of construction or installation of buildings or structures. Specifically, qualified capital expenses include: Barrels Bins Bottling equipment Canopy management machines Capsuling equipment Chemicals (vineyard only) Corkers Crushers Destemmers Fermenters or other recognized fermentation devices Fertilizer and soil amendments Filters Forklifts Fruit harvesters Fruit plants Hoses Irrigation equipment Labeling equipment Lugs Mowers Poles Posts Presses Pruning equipment Pumps Refractometers Refrigeration equipment Seeders Soil Small tools Tanks Tractors Vats Weeding and spraying equipment Wine tanks Wire APPLY

For a winery or a vineyard to receive a grant, an individual or corporation on behalf of the winery or vineyard must apply to and be certified by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce). The winery or vineyard must submit an application to Commerce by January 16, 2026.

The total Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program approved by Commerce may not exceed the appropriation for any calendar year. If the total amount of funding applied for by all businesses exceeds the appropriation, funds will be approved on a pro-rata basis. WVEDG Application Materials WVEDG Online Application Application Guidelines Exhibit A RESOURCES Statute CONTACT

For more information about WVEDG contact:

Denicia Walker, Administrative Officer I

Maryland Department of Commerce

denicia.walker2@maryland.gov

(410) 767-6313 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Page Image What is the Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program? Maryland's Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program provides financial assistance to individuals and corporations to establish a new winery or vineyard in the State or complete capital improvements at an existing winery or vineyard. Commerce will provide a grant to an individual or corporation for 25% of “qualified capital expenses” (as defined in Ch. 358 of 2022). Who may apply for the Maryland Wineries and Vineyards Grant? A qualified Maryland winery or Maryland vineyard that has qualified capital expenses may apply for this grant.

A Qualified Maryland Winery is defined as an…

Topic areas: Agriculture and Food, Social Innovation and Community Development, Public Policy and Governance, Workforce Development.

Funding amount

This grant provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no single fixed deadline.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• Not specified by the program.

Eligibility

The program did not publish a separate eligibility statement. See the official opportunity page for the full eligibility criteria.

Agency

Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program (WVEDG) is administered by Maryland Department of Commerce (MD Commerce), listed via Maryland Department of Commerce.