Oregon’s craft beverage industry—ranging from boutique breweries in Portland to vineyards in the Willamette Valley—requires specialized funding to thrive. Whether you're launching a new label, expanding tasting rooms, or upgrading production equipment, smart financing is key.
This guide outlines top funding solutions for Oregon’s breweries and vineyards, covering SBA loans, equipment financing, local grant programs, CDFI lending, and seasonal support.
Typical capital requirements include:
Fermentation tanks, bottling and label equipment
Barrels, kegs, bottling lines, cold storage
Tasting room buildouts or outdoor event spaces
Licensing, permits, and staffing costs
Packaging, distribution, and marketing
Seasonal cash flow needs for harvest, bottling, or raw ingredients
Effective funding strategies help balance innovation with sustainable growth.
Up to $5 million for working capital, expansion, renovations, or acquisition
Ideal for projects like building new tasting rooms or acquiring distribution vehicles
Long repayment terms and competitive interest rates
Fixed-rate loans for major assets like real estate or production equipment
Requires a down payment and participation from a development company
Best for purchasing wineries or creating dedicated production facilities
Up to $50,000 for small-scale equipment, licensing, or marketing
Ideal for start-up breweries or vineyard tasting-room setups
Essential brewing and winemaking gear can be financed through:
Equipment loans – monthly payments over 3–7 years, with the equipment as collateral
Leasing options – preserve capital and upgrade as technology evolves
Financing that includes installation and maintenance services
This route helps spread out large set-up costs while keeping cash flow steady.
Oregon offers funding that aligns with the goals of craft beverage producers:
Agriculture-focused grants to support sustainable or organic practices
Tourism and hospitality grants for tasting-room improvements or event spaces
Rural business development funds designed to support wineries located outside urban centers
Clean energy incentives for solar, geothermal, or fuel-efficiency upgrades
These non-dilutive sources can significantly reduce upfront investment.
Local CDFIs provide tailored lending to underserved or rural producers:
Loans from $10,000 to $500,000
Flexible underwriting for startups or minority-owned operations
Business coaching, financial planning, and loan readiness support
Faster approval based more on business potential and less on credit score
CDFIs are impactful for producers building capacity or seeking local impact.
Seasonal cash flow issues—like covering harvest/labor before sales—can be solved with:
Lines of credit tailored to seasonal needs
Inventory-backed “vineyard or barrel” financing using stock as collateral
Short-term bridge loans to cover pressing expenses like crop inputs, labor, or packaging
These tools help maintain smooth operations during production cycles.
Identify funding need—equipment, facility, working capital, or expansion
Select best option—SBA 7(a)/504, microloan, CDFI, or seasonal credit
Gather financials, projections, and vendor quotes
Prequalify with two or more lenders
Apply with business plan and clear use-of-funds plan
Receive funds and implement upgrades
Monitor KPIs—yield per acre, production volumes, sales growth, repayment
| Option | Best Use | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) Loan | Expansion, equipment, working capital | Requires credit, financial history, and collateral |
| SBA 504 Loan | Real estate or large equipment purchases | Longer timeline and down payment required |
| SBA Microloan | Small setup needs or soft openings | Caps at $50K; includes support programs |
| Equipment Financing | Tanks, presses, barrels, coolers | Asset is collateral; often fast approval |
| CDFI Loan | Rural producers, start-ups, minority-owned | Mission-focused, flexible, smaller limits |
| State Grant or Incentive | Sustainable practices, facility upgrades | Competitive and tied to performance goals |
| Seasonal/Working Capital Line | Crop/labor season cash flow needs | Interest on draws only; tied to yield cycles |
An Oregon craft brewery used:
A $350,000 SBA 7(a) loan to build a new taproom and purchase fermentation tanks
A $75,000 CDFI loan to fund marketing, branding, and taproom staffing
A seasonal line of credit to cover ingredient purchases during high-demand months
Result: Expanded distribution to three new regions, doubled tasting-room sales, and added two full-time employees within 12 months.
Keep your personal and business credit scores above 650
Provide two years of financial statements and cash flow projections
Obtain equipment or construction quotes before applying
Prepare a clear business plan with yield, sales and growth targets
Seek advice from local agriculture extension offices or wine/brewery support organizations
Apply early—production calendars and grant cycles often dictate timing
Oregon’s breweries and vineyards can access a diverse funding ecosystem—from traditional SBA financing and strategic equipment loans to mission-driven CDFI support and government grants. With a clear funding plan, well-documented application, and smart lender selection, producers can scale operations, increase quality, and thrive in a competitive market.
Define your top funding priority—equipment, facilities, or production costs
Choose the loan type that best fits your goals
Gather financials, quotes, and a tailored business plan
Reach out to SBA lenders, CDFIs, or state grant programs
Submit your strongest application and begin execution
If you’d like help preparing loan materials or choosing the right mix, I'm here to help Oregon crafting businesses grow with confidence!