Kickstarter UK Program
Grow Your California Wine Business
Access financial and promotional support to grow your California wine business.
Watch the short introduction to learn how the program works, then explore the funding opportunities below.
PROGRAM FUNDING
Two ways to access support
Choose any of the opportunities below. All funding is reimbursed after the activity on receipt of proof of performance.
Budget deadline: All invoices and proof of performance must be received by June 30, 2027. Invoices received after this date cannot be paid. The budget cannot be carried over to the following year.
EDUCATION
Capstone California
As part of Kickstarter, participants are encouraged to complete the Capstone California online certification course – a comprehensive guide to California wines created by internationally recognized experts.
Free enrollment for Kickstarter participants
Levels 1 and 2 are available at no cost through the link below (normally $175 and $375 USD). Please do not share the enrollment link externally.
PROGRAM RULES
Kickstarter 2026-27 Registration
- Register to participate: complete the enrolment form and send it back to nladwiniec@wineinstitute.org and mwessely@wineinstitute.org
- Please indicate on the form if you already have Kickstarter/California Wines banner, or if you need one. Photo of banner at the event is mandatory to receive funding.
Before any program activity
Complete these steps before undertaking any funded activity.
- Email the proposed date and a short description of your activity to nladwiniec@wineinstitute.org and mwessely@wineinstitute.org
- Once confirmed, we will send you an agreement to sign.
- Download the California Wines logo for use on invites, menus, signage, and social posts.
Event Rules
- Events must feature California wines exclusively
- Each event must include wines from two or more California producers (no exceptions). *Note that some larger producers own several brands; multiple brands from the same producer still count as one producer. When you return your form with your brands listed, we will flag any that share the same producer.
- The California Wines logo must appear on invites, menus, and event photos (more details about photos in Proof of Performance section)
- Trade events only
- Three months after the event we will ask you to report any sales uplift as a result of the event
Travel Rules
- The deliverables for the travel bursary are California Wines sales results, a trip report and two social media posts about the trip. The bursary is payable upon receipt of all deliverables.
- Must visit at least 2 wineries seeking representation.
- Travel support can only be used once per fiscal year.
- Only Sales Staff and Senior Buyers are eligible.
- Representatives must differ year to year.
- Cannot be taken in back-to-back years unless a new brand was added after the prior trip.
- Budgets cannot carry over from one year to the next.
Reimbursement
We process all payments after your event has taken place, once we have received the following from you:
- An Invoice
- Proof of Performance documents listed below
- A signed agreement
Photos from your events are the most important part of your Proof of Performance. We use them in our end-of-year presentations to secure funding for future editions of the programme. Please make sure your photos are high-resolution, high-energy shots in which people look like they are enjoying themselves and California Wines branding is clearly visible.
Proof of performance required
Submit all proof of performance with your invoice to nladwiniec@wineinstitute.org and mwessely@wineinstitute.org by June 30, 2027.
Terms, conditions & registration
Please read the terms below before completing your registration.
Payment
California Wine Institute (CWI) will pay the applicable amount within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice. Invoices must:
- Describe the activity
- Include all wire transfer details for EFT payment from the United States
- Be addressed to: California Wine Institute, 915 L St #1190, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Funding restriction
Participants must not charge the wineries they represent for any funding received through this program. If additional costs are billed back to the winery, the bill back must be reduced by the amount of Kickstarter funding received. Failure to comply requires repayment and will result in exclusion from future California Wines programs.
Other terms
Intellectual property: No rights in either party’s trademarks, brand names, copyrights, designs, or logos are transferred by this agreement.
Liability: CWI and its agents have no liability for any loss or damage in connection with participation in the activity.
Governing law: This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question not answered here? Email nladwiniec@wineinstitute.org and mwessely@wineinstitute.org
If we don’t use our funding in 2026 - 2027 can we hold it over for activity starting from July 2027?