Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the South Australian Wine Industry Development Scheme? The $1.8 million-a-year South Australian Wine Industry Development Scheme (SAWIDS) has been established to develop and support projects that add economic value to the wine industry. The aim is to strengthen Adelaide and South Australia s identity in relation to wine, food and tourism so the benefits flow to all parts of the industry and the broader community. 2. Who administers the scheme? The scheme is administered by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA). 3. What grants are available under the scheme? The SAWIDS includes two grant Programs. Cellar Door Grants The Cellar Door Grants Program is open to South Australian wineries operating a cellar door, looking to diversify and improve their traditional cellar door experience. Upgrading a cellar door to add a tasting room or bed and breakfast facilities will be considered for funding. Diversifying the traditional cellar door experience could include project costs incurred in starting up something like a series of tutored tastings, or an educational program for interstate or overseas visitors. There are many other examples of diversification that come to mind that may fit within the guidelines and qualify for a grant. The criteria used in the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards program in 2016 has been adopted for the Cellar Door grants. Wineries can submit applications for a grant for a cellar door project that relates to accommodation, architecture, arts and culture, innovation, sustainability, restaurants, tourism services and other activities. Individual grants of up to $25,000 ($1 million total funding) are available under this Program.
Regional Wine Industry Association Grants The Regional Wine Industry Association grants Program is only open to SA regional grape and wine industry associations. This component of the scheme provides grants to regional grape and wine industry associations to help them support cellar doors at a regional level. This could include the project costs involved in establishing bike paths, signage or other infrastructure that will have benefits to the cellar doors of the region. Individual grants of up to $50,000 ($600,000 total funding) are available under this Program. 4. When do applications for funding close? The funding for the Cellar Door Grants Program is now open and closes 5 pm, 16 November 2016. The funding for the Regional Wine Industry Association Grants Program is now open and closes 5 pm, 25 November 2016. Late applications will not be accepted. 5. How are projects supported under the scheme chosen? Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis. Preference will be given to projects that most competitively meet the assessment criteria. Applicants for the Cellar Door Grants Program will need to demonstrate how their application aligns with one or more of the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards criteria. These can be found at http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/winescheme. Projects for this Program will also need to demonstrate how their project will encourage wine tourism and add economic value to the wine industry in the region. 6. What is the criteria for applying for funds under the scheme and how do I apply? Find out your eligibility through the guidelines and to access the application form, visit, http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/winescheme 7. What if I need assistance applying? Contact the PIRSA Regional Support Team: Phone No: 1300 364 322 Email: pirsa.grantsenquiries@sa.gov.au PIRSA s Regional Support Team Murray Bridge Office (08) 8539 2112
Cellar Door Grants 1. Can I apply for funding for multiple projects? Yes, if you have more than one cellar door operating under an individually issued producer s licence (or equivalent) you can submit more than one application. Each application will be assessed on its merit. Alternatively you can submit one application (no more than $25,000) for all the cellar doors you operate if your project relates to more than one cellar door. 2. I ve started a project to diversify my cellar door. Can I apply for funding to cover those costs? No, the SAWIDS will not fund the payment of projects where a financial commitment has been made prior to the opening date for applications for the grant Program. 3. When must I spend the funding by? Projects need to be completed and fully acquitted by PIRSA by 31 May 2017. 4. When will I receive the funding? As part of the contract conditions, a schedule of payments will be prepared linked to project milestones and completion. 5. Will late applications be accepted? The SAWIDS will not accept late applications. 6 What will happen if I do not follow the Guidelines? Your application will be rejected. You should lodge your application on time and by correctly completing the official application form and relevant support documentation outlined in the Guidelines and application form. 7 I own a winery but don t have a cellar door. Can I apply for a Cellar Door Grant? This grant program has been designed to support cellar doors in recognition of the significant contribution they make to regional tourism and our wine regions. To apply, wineries must own, operate and be trading through a cellar door. New cellar doors will be considered for funding but the applicant must be able to show they are viable and sustainable in the medium to long term by lodging documents to support their application - see the Guidelines for further information. 8 What types of cellar door activities will qualify for funding? Applicants will need to demonstrate that their project aligns with one or more of the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards criteria, including those that might fall just outside of those categories into the other category, namely for wineries that undertake a broader business beyond the traditional wine offering (vineyard walks, tutored and comparative tastings, educational programs and other events).
Applicants will need to demonstrate how their project will encourage wine tourism and add economic value to the wine industry in the region. This will include expected change in cellar door visitors and cellar door sales as a result of the project activities. The activity must be authorised under your liquor licence. 9 Can I apply for a grant to cover salary and ongoing costs? No, a grant will not be provided for ongoing labour costs, staff salaries, feasibility studies, operations and maintenance costs and salary costs associated with training and development. 10 I am a winemaker, whisky maker and cider maker and have my own cellar door. Can I apply? A winery issued with a cellar door licence that also sells cider or beer will not necessarily be excluded from being funded. The applicant will need to show that cellar door wine sales is its principal source of business. 11 Can I apply for marketing or promotional activities? The cellar door grants are intended to encourage wineries to upgrade and enhance their cellar doors. Applications solely for marketing or promotional activities are likely to be preferenced lower than applications seeking funding for a cellar door upgrade. 12 I have already started an upgrade of my cellar door facilities. Am I eligible for a grant? No, funding will only be provided for work taking place after the opening date for applications. You will not be eligible for funding if your project has either commenced or has been completed prior to the opening of SAWIDS. 13 I operate out of a cellar door shared by more than one licensee. Can I apply for a grant? Yes, but the other licensees need to agree to the project taking place. 14 What are the co-contribution requirements? Matching funds are required at the minimum ratio of $1 for each $1 grant. The cocontribution can include contributions from the applicant and other parities but cannot include contributions from other South Australian Government programs. Co-contributions can be either cash or in-kind and can be provided by the applicant or a third party. In-kind contributions can include employee time allocated to the project using direct salary, superannuation contributions and direct on-costs. Evidence of a commitment to make in-kind contributions must be made at the time of applying for a grant.
Regional Wine Industry Association Grants 1. What information do I need to provide in support of an application for a Regional Wine Industry Association Grant? You will need to show that the project is of strategic and / or economic importance to the cellar doors of the region and / or it will promote the unique characteristics of and/or diversity of regional wine varieties and develop a sense of place. You might also consider describing how the project will create direct economic benefits that will be broadly distributed across the cellar doors of the region. If the project is capable of being shared across regions or between wine enterprises and wine regions, consider discussing that in your application. 2. Can only regional grape and wine industry associations apply for this funding? Yes. 3 Will this grant Program fund feasibility studies? Yes, this Program recognises the cost of some regional infrastructure projects will mean it is desirable for PIRSA to fund some form of preliminary study or to underwrite preliminary project work. Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. 6 What are the co-contribution requirements? As with the Cellar Door Grants, matching funds are required at the minimum ratio of $1 for each $1 grant. The co-contribution can include contributions from the applicant and other parties but cannot include contributions from other South Australian Government programs. Co-contributions can be either cash or in-kind or a combination of both. 7 What information needs to be submitted in support of an application for a Regional Wine Industry Association Grant? All relevant supporting documentation required to assess your application is outlined in the Guidelines and application form.