The Victorian Government has established the Wine Grape Testing Rebate to assist Victorian wine grape growers establish the extent and impact of smoke exposure from the 2019-20 bushfires on the 2020 vintage.

The program offers a rebate of up to $1,200 to Victorian wine grape growers on samples submitted for smoke testing between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2020.

The program is open to all Victorian wine grape growers.

The only activity eligible for this program is the testing of whole wine grape samples for the effects of smoke exposure. Samples may be submitted to either the AWRI Commercial Services and/or Vintessential Laboratories for analysis of smoke-related compounds in grapes and wine.

In order to apply, applicants must:

1. be the owner, operator or share farmer of a Victorian business producing wine grapes
2. own or operate a vineyard located in Victoria
3. have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
4. demonstrate that grapes or juice were submitted for analysis between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2020.

Applicants are required to pay for the smoke testing, before applying for the rebate.

One rebate of up to $1,200 will be offered per business.

Please submit all paid invoices or receipts for analytical laboratory services with your application.

Further eligibility criteria are contained in the attached Guidelines.

Please read the Guidelines before completing the Application Form.

Completed application forms, together with supporting documentation must be submitted to Rural Finance by 31 October 2020 via:

Post: Rural Finance, PO Box 1313, Bendigo Central 3552

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Fax: 5441 8901

For further information please contact Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or visit our FAQs page.