Turn Winemaking Trials into R&D Credits,
with the evidence to defend them
Fermentation and yeast trials, smoke-taint remediation and vineyard experiments can qualify for the federal R&D tax credit. ClaimKit uses AI to find every eligible dollar in your cellar, lab and payroll records and attach the evidence to defend it.
Assistant Winemaker
W-2 wages · TY2025
- Fermentation logs for 8 yeast and temperature trials · Google Drive
- 46 lab panels, including smoke-taint markers · Uploaded
- Cellar work orders for trial lots, 52 entries · Google Drive
- 24 payroll runs, Box 1 wages · QuickBooks
- Trial lots — grapes and additives consumed8 lots · 27 invoices$18,640
- Outside lab — smoke-taint analysis (65%)14 invoices · 46 panels$6,890
- Vineyard Manager — rootstock trials3 blocks · 64 log entries$31,500
Loved by Finance Teams and Founders
“The R&D evidence finding was excellent. This addressed a massive pain point for us, and the ROI was very very good. Would recommend to anyone!”
Geraldine
CEO, Lewi Software
“I cancelled my accountants mid-project, paid them for their time, and started fresh with ClaimKit – it was still cheaper and faster than letting them finish.”
Kyel Steensma
COO, Edexia
“Enjoyed every bit of using this, it is happy to work with raw data and we didn't need to write the report ourselves. It saved a lot of time compared to traditional consultants.”
Sayan
COO, Fluer
“Efficient, effective with an emphasis on details.”
Rizal Evans
CEO, Evimien
“The R&D evidence finding was excellent. This addressed a massive pain point for us, and the ROI was very very good. Would recommend to anyone!”
Geraldine
CEO, Lewi Software
“I cancelled my accountants mid-project, paid them for their time, and started fresh with ClaimKit – it was still cheaper and faster than letting them finish.”
Kyel Steensma
COO, Edexia
“Enjoyed every bit of using this, it is happy to work with raw data and we didn't need to write the report ourselves. It saved a lot of time compared to traditional consultants.”
Sayan
COO, Fluer
“Efficient, effective with an emphasis on details.”
Rizal Evans
CEO, Evimien
Many wineries never claim because winemaking doesn’t look like R&D on paper
The credit isn’t only for tech companies. Testing whether a new technique, process or formulation will work can be qualified research, but the proof sits in cellar logs, lab panels and vineyard notes. ClaimKit reads those records and builds the claim from them.
Qualified Expenses: Typical Claim vs ClaimKit
Every Trial Found
Yeast, fermentation, stability and vineyard trials can meet the IRS four-part test. ClaimKit finds them in your logs and lab results, so the smaller trials are claimed alongside the big projects.
Taste Isn’t the Test
Changes made only for taste or style don’t qualify, and claiming them invites scrutiny. Each trial is checked for a technical goal and reviewed by an ex-KPMG specialist, so what you claim holds up.
No Extra Work at Harvest
Connect QuickBooks and Google Drive, or upload your cellar and lab records. No interviews, surveys or timesheets.
Cellar Records to a Filing-Ready Package in Days
Every trial analyzed, evidenced and reviewed
Connect Your Records
Link QuickBooks or Xero and Google Drive, or upload cellar logs, lab results and vineyard records. No interviews or timesheets.
AI Analyzes Every Trial
ClaimKit groups trials into business components, tests each one against Section 41 and links it to the wages and supplies behind it.
Expert Review and Delivery
An ex-KPMG specialist reviews every item; your CPA gets a filing-ready Form 6765, state credits and the full R&D study.
How ClaimKit Compares
Questions Winery Owners Ask
Can a winery really claim the R&D tax credit?
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Often, yes. Work that tests whether a new technique, process or formulation will work can meet the IRS four-part test: fermentation and yeast trials, stability and shelf-life work, smoke-taint remediation, lower-sulfite or lower-alcohol wines, and rootstock, irrigation or canopy trials.
Does developing a new blend count?
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Not for taste alone. The IRS excludes research related to style, taste or cosmetic factors. Trials aimed at a technical result, such as fermentation performance, stability, shelf life or removing smoke taint, can qualify. We separate one from the other, trial by trial.
What costs can we claim?
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W-2 wages for winemaking, cellar, lab and vineyard staff who perform, directly supervise or directly support the trials; grapes, juice, yeast and additives consumed in trial lots; and 65% of payments to outside labs and consultants for the research. Barrels, tanks and other equipment you depreciate aren’t included.
We don’t keep R&D records. Is that a problem?
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Usually not. Fermentation logs, lab panels, vineyard block records, invoices and payroll are the evidence. Connect QuickBooks, Xero or Google Drive, or upload exports from your production software.
Can we claim for past years?
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Often, yes. Returns for tax years that are still open can generally be amended to claim a credit you missed. Your CPA files the amended returns with our package.
We’re a family-owned LLC or S corporation. Who gets the credit?
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The credit flows through to the owners, who can generally use it against their own federal income tax. Any unused credit carries forward for up to 20 years.
Do you file our tax return?
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No. Your CPA files as usual and attaches our package: Form 6765, any state credits and the full R&D study.
See What Your Winemaking Trials Are Worth in a 30-minute chat
Tell us about your vineyards, production and recent trials; we’ll walk through which work qualifies and what it’s worth, with the evidence to back it.