To become a Cidery (winery) in Ontario you need:

1. Township – Best to start here.  Ask the planning department if the current plan allows for agriculture secondary uses, including brewery and winery.  If yes, good to go.  If not, you may need your local councillor to help lobby the Planning Department for a new Ag Plan.  Most townships are up to date with the new provincial planning guidelines and allow it.  Spirit Tree is listed as a case study in the new guidelines.
   
   
2.  AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Ontario) Winery application – these are now easily available online from their website.  You will need to apply for Manufacturing (you will need to send a sample of cider for lab testing to LCBO and send them the results), Retail (you need 5 acres producing fruit), Limited Sales (if you want to pour glasses of cider, requires Retail License).  You will also need to download the Municipal Form and take it in to your township for the Town Clerk to sign.  It simply asks if the county is wet or dry.  The clerk is to answer and sign.  Careful, some townships withhold this letter until you meet any building code concerns, which is illegal but happens.
   
   

3.  CRA Excise License – You need to apply for an excise license.  Again, simple process.  They will send someone out to inspect the operation.  The agent will not know what to look for and is only making sure there is an actual location and roof over it.
   
   

4.  You are then ready to open and sell.  You will need to file a J10 Report each month to the LCBO for all sales and pay taxes.  There is a CRA Excise form as well that is filed monthly even though you never owe money on domestic production.