California Wines logo

THE KICKSTARTER PROGRAM

Welcome to The Kickstarter Canada Program!

From July 2025 to June 2026, Kickstarter will be your opportunity to promote your California brands with our financial and promotional support.

Kickstarter Canada Is capped at the first 20 registrants for the July 2025 to June 2026 program year

Please see the amounts below.

Opportunity #1

Support for a California Wines Event

This opportunity includes either a California Wines Trade and/or Consumer Tasting or Dinner

11-20 guests attending             $1,000 CAD

21-30 guests attending             $2,000 CAD

31+ guests attending                $3,000 CAD

Opportunity #2

Support for Travel to California

Head of Sales or Buyer only

1 person $1,500 per person

2+ people travelling  $3,000

Capstone California

  • As part of Kickstarter we encourage you to complete Capstone California On Line Education Certification Course.
  • It is a comprehensive guide to California wines created by internationally recognized California wine experts
  • You can register for Levels 1 and 2 using the link below (please do not share them) for free. Normally these are $175 and $375 USD.
Enroll Now

Rules for Funding

As our annual budget is from 1 July to 30 June, we can only accept invoices and Proof of Performance until 30th June 2026. We will not be able to pay any invoices relating to Kickstarter activity received after 30th June 2026.

Kickstarter is capped at 20 participants in the year 25/26 based on the first 20 registered agencies that apply.

Step 1: Register to participate in Kickstarter:  (insert link)

Trade and /or Consumer Events and Dinners

  • Each event has to be exclusively with California wines.
  • Two or more California wine brands must be included in each event. There is no exception to this rule.
  • The California Wines logo (please download here) needs to be included on any invites/menus etc used for the event and included in photos from the event or you will not receive funding.
  • Please tag California Wines Canada on Instagram and Facebook (@CaliforniaWinesCanada).
  • All events are trade and or consumer.
  • Proof of performance is required upon submission of the invoice.  Proof required includes: Copy of the invitation, guest list (name and affiliation/company and title if trade, Photos of wines showcased, photo of signage at event, photo of guests at the event. Number of attendees.

Travel Bursary

  • You can only use travel bursary once per fiscal year.
  • The Travel Bursary will only be allocated to Heads of Sales and Buyers. The sales representatives travelling need to differ from one year to the next, so that as many sales representatives as possible benefit from visiting a company’s Producers.
  • The Travel Bursary cannot be taken in back to back years unless you took on a new brand/winery/ SKU after the prior years trip. Proof is required.
  • The budgets are annual from 1 July to 30 June and the US government does not allow us to hold over any budget. We cannot carry-over travel bursary from one year to the next to increase the amount in a susbsequent year.
  • All funding will be reimbursed after the trip on receipt of Proof of Performance (see below).

Before your Event or Trip

  • Read and check the terms and conditions checkbox
  • Send the proposed date and a short description of the event to info@calwine.ca
  • Download Logo for Proof of Performance (download here)

Proof of Performance Required

Trade Tasting or Dinner

  • At least 2 California wine brands present and visible in photos.
  • A copy of your invitation showing the California Wines logo on it.
  • List of invited guests (don’t need full details, just first name and company if applicable). Total number of guests.
  • A list of the wines you will be showing or catalogue with California Wine logo.
  • Several photos from the event, including one showing the wines lined up and logo, photos of attendees, list of the wines tasted, photos of signage.
  • A brief line or two on the outcomes of the event and any anticipated sales results.
  • Send your proof of performance to info@calwine.ca

Travel Bursary

  • A completed trip report (Form HERE) detailing the producers you visited and a summary of your impressions of the wines you tasted and how it applies to your market.
  • Your California wines sales results from last 2 years.
  • Confirmation of the 2 or more new wineries you visited that are seeking representation
  • Details on any new brands you are listing as a result of the trip.
  • Link/Screenshot of 2 social media posts about the trip.
  • Send your proof of performance to info@calwine.ca

Terms & Conditions

In order to complete your registration for the program, please read the terms and conditions. Then enter your first name and last name, agency name and address and  tick the box to agree to the terms and conditions.

Agreement to Take Part in KICKSTARTER Campaign 2025/2026

  • A completed trip report (Form HERE) detailing the producers you visited and a summary of your impressions of the wines you tasted and how it applies to your market.
  • Your California wines sales results from last 2 years.
  • Confirmation of the 2 or more new wineries you visited that are seeking representation
  • Details on any new brands you are listing as a result of the trip.
  • Link/Screenshot of 2 social media posts about the trip.
  • Send your proof of performance to info@calwine.ca

Activity

Option #1: Write a trip report about the visit to California which shall be used as marketing material and market insights by CWI. Supply Proof of Performance as listed on the Kickstarter Website

Option #2: Host California Wines Trade and/or Consumer Tasting or Dinner. Supply Proof of Performance as listed on the Kickstarter Website

Payment

In consideration of performing the Activity California Wine Institute (CWI) shall pay the amount as described on the website within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice for same. Such valid invoice must:

  1. Describe the activity; and
  2. Include all wire transfer details to allow EFT payment from United States.
  3. Be Addressed to:
    California Wine Institute
    915 L St #1190
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    USA
  1. Intellectual Property Rights: Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed as a transfer of any right to or interest in either Party’s Intellectual Property to the other Party whatsoever. For the purposes of this clause Intellectual Property includes but is not limited to trademarks, brand names, copyrights, designs and logos.
  2. Liability: Neither CWI nor its agents or officers shall have any liability to you whatsoever for any loss or damage you may suffer in connection with your presence and participation in the Activity.
  3. Governing Law: This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California.

To complete registration, fill out the form and agree terms and conditions

Complete Registration

FAQs

No, Kickstarter funds have to be used on events that are exclusively for your California brands.
Yes absolutely. Just let us know.
CWI will not be directly involved in planning or hosting your tasting, however, we will promote the details to our trade and press database, and via social media channels if you would like us to.
No, the 2025-2026 funding must be used and invoiced to CWI by 30 June 2026.