Kentucky Grape and Wine Council Wine Labels Cost-Share Grant

The Kentucky Grape and Wine Council Wine Labels Cost-Share Grant is intended to assist licensed small farm wineries, defined by KRS 241.010(45), by reimbursing up to 50% of future approved label production costs for wines comprised of at least 75% Kentucky grown fruit. The funding will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. By offsetting label production costs on Kentucky grown wines, this grant aims to increase the number of these wines by decreasing the overall price per bottle, ultimately growing demand and resulting in vineyard expansion. Funding for this program is provided by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. This grant program is administered by the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council (KGWC), in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

A licensed Kentucky small farm winery (as defined by KRS 241.010(45)) may be reimbursed up to 50% of future approved label production. All label costs eligible for reimbursement must be for wines comprised of a minimum of 75% Kentucky grown fruit. Front labels must list 'Kentucky' as the designation of origin (which, by Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau law, requires a minimum of 75% of the fruit sourced originating from the state specified). Labels (front or back) must contain the Kentucky Proud logo (only Kentucky Proud members are allowed to utilize the Kentucky Proud logo).

Grants are awarded from January 1 – October 31. Wineries must submit a grant application and receive written confirmation of approval prior to purchasing wine labels; no expenses are eligible prior to KGWC's approval. KGWC provides a reimbursement cost share of 50% of approved label costs, distributed on a first come, first served basis with a limit of $1,000 per winery. Should funds remain after October 31, additional requests beyond the stated cap may receive consideration of further reimbursement (new caps determined by dividing remaining funds equally among eligible participants; rollover payouts only issued if new caps exceed $50 per participant). All reimbursement requests must be submitted to the KGWC within 60 days of purchase.

Wineries must submit a grant application, label graphic files, and production cost estimates to the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council for consideration, and receive written confirmation of approval prior to purchasing labels. Direct inquiries and mail applications and forms to: The Kentucky Grape and Wine Council, c/o The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 111 Corporate Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601, (502) 782-4117, tyler.madison@ky.gov.