A CENTRAL Victorian business has been left confused about whether it will qualify for further government assistance, despite COVID-19 driven losses.
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Winery Vinea Marson says the uncertainty has made it hard to plan to manage its funds.
The business has been forced to move much of its wine-selling online, due to restrictions.
But the winery was ineligible for the Victorian government's third round of business support, after qualifying for the second round of funding.
It was also eligible for the first, which has been delayed by administrative issues.
The winery may qualify for a support fund for licensed hospitality venues fund, but will not know until the details have been released.
Vinea Marson assistant winemaker Madeleine Marson said it was challenging to manage funds when unsure what support would be available.
Ms Marson said she had been told the business's ineligibility was because it was classed as a manufacturer, under the industrial classification system.
But Ms Marson said hospitality-based cellar door was a big part of the winery's business.
She said manufacturing did not encapsulate all the areas the winery worked across, from agriculture and primary production, to cellar door sales.
Ms Marson said government assistance would help the business make it over the line, without having to worry so much.
She said it would assist with vineyard expenses in spring, with building an outdoor cellar door facility, and ongoing costs.
She said prior to COVID-19 about 25 to 30 per cent of the business's income came from cellar door sales.
This year online sales and mailing list orders had moved up from 30 to 50 per cent of the business's income, she said.
Peak body Wine Victoria said it believed grants should be extended to the wine industry.
Chair Angie Bradbury said Wine Victoria was confident the government would respond to concerns from the industry, after a challenging year.
Business Victoria did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
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