ERP Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant
The Enhanced Replant Program (ERP), funded through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, provides support to help wine grape, berry, and tree fruit producers replace existing acreage with climate-resilient varieties that produce in-demand, premium fruit.
Enhanced Replant Program Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant is open to existing wine grape producers who are replacing existing acreage with new vineyards.
NEW for 2026/27: The minimum acre replant requirement is now 0.5 acres. see below for details.
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Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant Overview
Eligibility Criteria
All ERP applicants must meet the program-wide eligibility criteria AND stream-specific eligibility criteria. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and understanding both program-wide and stream-specific eligibility criteria before submitting their application.
ERP Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
- Be an existing blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, tree fruit, or wine grape grower in British Columbia, farming over 2.57 acres (1 hectare) of perennial crops.
- Be the owner or lessee of the land.
- Indicate if you have been paid a Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim from January 1, 2023, onwards or have a Plant Loss Claim in progress for the field/block being replanted.
- Can demonstrate financial viability to complete and maintain a project.
- Be in good standing with council(s) or commission identified by the corresponding industry association (see stream-specific criteria).
- Maintain the property as a commercial operation for at least four (4) years after replanting.
Eligible Activities & Expenditures
- Plant costs: provided planting takes place after application approval and plants have not been funded through other programs.
- Nursery Stock: plant costs and one-time licensing/plant royalty fees.
- Planting multiple varieties of the same commodity on a minimum of half (0.5) contiguous acre.
Project Requirements
- The replant site must be in British Columbia.
- Each field being replanted must cover a minimum half (0.5) a contiguous acre. See details below on Contiguous Acres.
- The 0.5-acre minimum may consist of:
- one continuous planted area of at least 0.5 acre; or
- multiple adjoining planted areas that together total at least 0.5 acre, on the same PID.
- The 0.5-acre minimum may consist of:
- Based on current projections, the replant site is commercially viable (i.e. will generate a positive return) at full production (confirm at time of application).
- For each replanted site, applicants must be a licensed water user, be within an irrigation district, or have submitted a water use license application prior to applying.
- Audited applicants must provide proof (e.g., water bill or license).
- Irrigation systems must be installed at planting.
- Vancouver Island Wine Grape growers are exempt from the requirement to have an irrigation system installed at planting.
Ineligible Applicants
- Annual crop producers, forage producers, non-commercial producers, and farmland outside of BC
- Sectors that do not have an opportunity assessment completed and pre-approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
- Producers that do not meet stream-specific criteria
- Producers with active Plant Loss Claims are not eligible for Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal
- Applicants with an active project with the Perennial Crop Renewal Program (PCRP) (2023-2025) are not eligible to apply for ERP
Ineligible Activities and Expenditures
- Fields replanted that do not meet the contiguous 0.5 acre minimum
- These include but are not limited to;
- Fields in different locations with different PID’s
- Separated planting areas on the same PID that do not touch
- Planting areas separated by a paved road or highway
- These include but are not limited to;
- Interplanting in existing orchards or vineyards (planting young plants between each existing plant in the row)
- New plantings (including farm expansions and the establishment of crops on bare land or land previously utilized for non-perennial crops or non-food perennial crops)
- Home nurseries: the cost of growing plants (includinglabour, maintenance, and other production inputs)
- Good and Services Tax (GST)
- In-kind expenses
- Taxes and duty or shipping costs
- Other planting or removal costs including but not limited to: rental of equipment, purchase of posts and wire, labour etc.
- Ongoing annual royalty payments (per acre, per linear foot, or per fruit sold)
- Ineligible commodity-specific criteria as outlined in the sector-specific planting/removal guidelines
Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant Eligibility Criteria
Stream 2 is open to existing wine grape producers who are replacing existing acreage with new vineyards.
Eligible Applicants
- In good standing with the BC Wine Grape Council (BCWGC), with all levies paid on fruit grown in the previous year (exemption for wine grape growers located on Vancouver Island).
- Irrigation systems must be installed in all field(s) at the time of planting (exemption for wine grape growers located on Vancouver Island).
- Must justify their marketing strategy by selecting the wine style from the Replanting Guidelines and Recommendations report that the new vineyard will achieve.
- If replanting the same variety, must justify how management practices are being adapted to ensure success.
- Have a soil nutrient test from the field site within the last 3 years.
- Must demonstrate positive return at full production.
Ineligible Activities
- Replanting tree fruits with wine grapes.
Variety Eligibility
- Vines must be purchased from a nursery identified by the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network (CGCN-RCCV) as certified for Canadian plant material and to a CFIA approved international standard.
- Domestic vines: Must be Certified Plus, Certified, or Verified by CGCN-RCCV and produced by a CGCN-RCCV registered nursery.
- USA imported vines: Must be certified by a state virus/pathogen-free certification program recognized by CGCN in California, Oregon, Washington, or New York and free of any viruses/pathogens on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s quarantine list.
- International imported vines: No other international certification programs are currently recognized by CGCN. Other programs seeking inclusion may submit requests directly to CGCN-RCCV for review.
- Planting the varieties of Grenache or Mourvèdre is ineligible for cost-sharing.
- Planting Gewürztraminer is not widely recommended and must not represent more than 20% of an applicant’s total acreage; applicant must provide a justification being approved for replant funding.
- Planting Syrah is only eligible for funding on sites where regular extreme heat events are more of an issue than regular extreme cold events.
Planting Density Guidelines
- Standard planting density of 1300 to 2200 plants/acre.
- If planting is outside of a 1300 to 2200 plants/acre range, verification from an Accredited Professional may be required from the applicant, to verify the planting density and horticultural practices proposed by the producer.
Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant Project Details
Replant Acres
Each farm operation can apply for a minimum of half (0.5) a contiguous acre per project up to a maximum of 20 acres or 15% of existing perennial food crop acreage (leased and owned), whichever is greater.
All acres must be contiguous.
Min: half (0.5) contiguous acre
Max: 20 acres or 15% of existing acreage, whichever is greater
If the acres you want to replant are in different locations (i.e. have different PIDs), are separate planting areas in the same location or are separated by a paved road or highway you are not eligible to apply for those acres in one application.
Funding Details
The total funding available for each farm operation over the duration of the program (starting November 1, 2024) is capped at a maximum of $750,000.
Retroactive costs are eligible for ERP, provided the replant costs were made on or after September 1, 2024, and/or not claimed through another program.
| Fields without Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim | Fields with Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim |
|---|---|
| Nursery stock¹: Cost-shared 50% plant purchase and one-time licensing/plant royalty fees | Nursery stock: Cost-shared up to 25% plant purchase and one-time licensing/royalty fees |
¹Producer-to-producer sales (including rootstock, scion and plants, whether originally sourced from a commercial nursery) are eligible under ERP, and will be cost-shared at 50%, or 25% if replanted on a site with an active or recent Plant Loss Claim. The original disease certification of the plant stock may be requested.
Reminder: Home nursery plant stock material in not eligible for Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant.
Applications with Plant Loss Claims
All applicants are required to indicate if they have been paid a Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim from January 1, 2023 onward or have a Plant Loss Claim in progress for the field/block being replanted. Cost-share ratios for applicants will be adjusted based on Business Risk Management Program claims at each planting location.
Fields or acres that production insurance has NOT PAID a Plant Loss Claim, or no active Plant Loss Claim is under consideration:
- Nursery Stock: applicants will receive a 50% cost-share (reimbursement) for nursery plants and one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), when purchased from a commercial nursery.
Field or acres that production insurance has PAID a Plant Loss Claim (from January 1, 2023 onwards), or an active Plant Loss Claim is under consideration for the field/block being replanted:
- Nursery Stock: applicants will receive a 25% cost-share (reimbursement) for nursery plants and one-time plant royalty and/or licensing fee(s), when purchased from a commercial nursery.
Applicants who indicate they are enrolled in Production Insurance will have their information (including Production Insurance Policy Number, Physical Address of planting/removal location and Land Titles Parcel Identification (PID) number) sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Business Risk Management Branch to verify claim status.
What’s a cost-shared ratio?
The cost-sharing ratio represents the proportion of eligible Total Project Costs contributed by both the applicant and the funder. For the Enhanced Replant Program, the cost-shared ratio depends on whether the applicant has been paid a Production Insurance Plant Loss Claim or has a Plant Loss Claim in progress for each field being replanted.
Project Length
Successful Stream 2 applicants will have up to 24 months from time of approval to complete their project.
Applying to the Program
Applications for Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant open on November 3, 2026, with submissions accepted on November 17, 2026, at 9:00am PT.
We encourage you to use the two weeks between November 3 to 17 to draft your application and ensure you have all the necessary information and documents ready and uploaded prior to submissions opening.
Applications are accepted through the IAF Client Portal. Only one application per fiscal year, regardless of stream, can be submitted per farm operation.
All applications are scored based on specific criteria provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. See Program Scoring Criteria below for details.
Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.
Note: Applying to the program is not a guarantee of funding. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet eligibility criteria will not fulfill the program’s requirements and may adversely affect your funding decision.
Important Program Dates
Applications Open
Submissions Accepted
Applications Close
Project Start
Project Completion
Accessing the IAF Client Portal
To apply to the program, you must first create an IAF Client Portal account and register your organization by navigating to the IAF Client Portal and selecting “Create an account now.”
If you have previously applied to an IAF-delivered program you can skip this step – you’re already registered!
Sign Up & Register
To apply to the program, you must first create an IAF Client Portal account and register your organization by navigating to the IAF Client Portal and selecting “Create an account now.”
Starting your ERP Application
If you’re reading this information prior to application submissions opening, you can start (i.e. draft, edit & view) your application. This takes the pressure off for first-come, first-served programs – allowing you to work on your application without the pressure of submission.
To find the application navigate to the ‘Opportunities‘ tab in the IAF Client Portal and select ERP: Stream 2 – Wine Grape Replant.
- Step 1 – Add’l Organization Details
- Step 2 – Project Details
- Step 3 – Project Budget
- Step 4 – Demographic Info
- Step 5 – Terms & Conditions
- Step 6 – Upload Documents
- Step 7 – Submit
Review and agree to the terms and conditions.
Have a Question?
If you have any questions about your application, program eligibility, required documents, etc. IAF encourages you to reach out to erp@iafbc.ca or give us a call at 250-940-6150.
You can also book a 10-minute phone consult with an IAF staff member once the stream applications are open. Prior to booking an appointment, you must start your draft application and provide the ID number (ERP-202425-0####). This gives you and the IAF staff member a specific application to reference and provide support for during the 10-minute phone call. Applicants are limited to one phone call appointment currently.
Review and Adjudication
Prior to funding decisions being made, project applications are screened and reviewed by IAF and may be reviewed by a technical expert. The application review process will include:
- Ensuring application completeness.
- Organization/Applicant eligibility check.
- Project eligibility check.
Application Audit
Upon successful completion of review by IAF staff, 10% of eligible applications will be selected for further audit and review. This audit will include a secondary review of applications by an Accredited Professional focused on validating/verifying any or all the technical information supplied or required. Additional information may be requested from the applicant before it can be considered for funding. The following audit criteria may be considered:
- Owner/Lessee Farm Operation details
- Total acreage
- Planting density
- Financial Review
- Documentation supporting positive returns
- Compliance Checks
- Food safety standards
- Valid water license
- Soil test results
- Varietal Assessment
- Additional Assessments
- Production insurance
- AgriStability participation
- Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
Note: Applications that fail the audit requirements may be deemed ineligible and not funded.
Program Scoring Criteria
All eligible applications will be scored based on specific criteria provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food including:
- Confirmed plant order for all fields at the time of application.
- Enrollment in Production Insurance.
- Enrollment in AgriStability or vertical integration that makes them ineligible for AgriStability.
- A current Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) or in the process of renewing/applying for one.
- Stream 2 criteria: Field(s) being replanted will be cover cropped or left fallow for at least 12 months prior to planting.
- Stream 2 criteria: Sustainable Wine BC (SWBC) member OR have completed the SWBC online self-assessment.
Funding will be awarded to high-scoring applicants first, until the program allocations are exhausted.
Funding Notifications & Obligations
If the project is approved, IAF will inform the applicant of the details of the decision and any associated terms and conditions by email. Notification will be provided within 8 weeks of a completed application submission. Please note, if an application is sent back for further information or revisions this will reset the application review timeline. The status of your application can be found in the IAF Client Portal. All funding decisions are final.
Funding is application and project-specific and must be used for the approved project and eligible expenses as outlined. Funds are non-transferable. Retroactive approvals are eligible for ERP. Replanting activities are eligible provided the purchase was made on or after September 1, 2024.
Approved replant projects, including those that receive a conditional approval, must be completed within 24 months of funding decision notification. Applicants without a confirmed plant order may receive conditional funding approval, pending the submission of an order confirmation to IAF. Conditional approval is valid for 60 days; failure to submit an order confirmation will result in cancellation of conditional approval. Applicants would be required to resubmit pending reopening of an application window. No project extensions will be considered.
Approved applicants will be published annually on the IAF website, highlighting funding awarded to producers and key program achievements to date.
Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants must complete all removal/renewal or replanting activities, submit a project report and/or successfully complete an on-site field inspection prior to receiving payment. Project report(s) must be completed and submitted to IAF, with receipts and invoices (as applicable), to be considered for funding reimbursement. It is important the final report is submitted on time and with all required information. Expenses will be reimbursed based on the submitted receipts, the approved project proposal, and the corresponding cost-share ratio. Payments will be made in CAD with exchange rates calculated at the time of payment unless a proof of exchange rate is provided. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.
Project Reports
A progress report(s) may be required for projects that exceed 12-months in duration.
Final project reports will include, but may not be limited to:
- Geotagged image(s) of each project location, showing planted rows and installed irrigation.
- Confirmed total number of plants/acres planted or removed
- Provide supporting documents (receipts, invoices etc.)
- Producer planting survey
- Attestation of work complete
If a report is submitted by a producer, shows evidence of inter-planting, the project will automatically require an on-site field inspection and may be ineligible for funding.
Eligible Invoices for Cost-Shared Funding
To qualify for reimbursement, invoices must:
- Relate to Approved Expenses: Reflect costs directly associated with purchases from
- Nursery Stock: Plant(s) purchased and/or one-time royalty or licensing fee
- Be Itemized: Include detailed descriptions (i.e. varieties), quantities, and unit prices for the above expenses.
- Show Date of Purchase: Indicate the invoice date or purchase date(s)
- Include Vendor Information: Display the vendor’s name, address, and contact details.
- Provide Payment Proof: Accompany the invoice with evidence of payment, such as a receipt or bank statement (if available at the time of application).
Producer-to-producer sales (including rootstock, scion, plants) are eligible under ERP. Applicants must provide an ‘invoice’ for the payment of a producer-to-producer sales which includes:
- Seller information; including legal business name, address / contact information, GST/business number for farm/business selling trees;
- IAF may request original invoices from commercial nurseries on a case-by-case basis
- The variety and number (unit/quantity) of trees sold;
- Cost per tree and total costs;
- Buyer information; including legal business name and address / contact information for the farm/business buying trees;
- The applicant (buyer) is also required to provide back up of the transaction to show proof of payment (i.e. bank statement showing transfer of funds, deposited cheque etc.)”
For questions about eligible expenses, please contact the IAF program team at erp@iafbc.ca.
Field Inspections
Field inspection process: Approved projects selected to participate in the field inspection audit will be automatically notified when a final report is completed / submitted to IAF through the IAF Client Portal.
Field inspections will be conducted for a minimum of 25% of completed projects, by a qualified professional scheduling an on-site visit with the producer. Field inspections will take place within 3-6 months of project completion and planting. Final payments will be based on the outcome of the inspection and assessment of the project’s progress.
Criteria for each inspection could include, but is not limited to:
- Verify project location.
- Verify the commodity planted.
- Verify the source of planting stock and varieties.
- Assess site preparation and weed control.
- Measure average plant spacing and row spacing.
- Measure field area.
- Assess plant quality in terms of overall health.
- Ensure support system/trellising is in place and trees are tied (if applicable).
- Ensure permanent irrigation system is installed.
- Verify the previous planting in field block have been removed and obsolete infrastructure has been removed and disposed of.
- Take photos.
Note: Projects that fail the field inspection requirements may be deemed ineligible and not funded.
Payments will only be issued to producers following project completion and/or field inspection.
Funding Acknowledgments
This program is funded by the Government of British Columbia. As such, acknowledgement of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgement, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Details on correctly acknowledging funding can be found on the project resource hub. Materials must be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.
Resources
FAQs
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Please note: the Government of BC may, from time to time, give instructions to IAF in relation to the delivery and administration of this program. IAF must and will comply with those instructions.