VIRGINIA · NAICS 3121
Virginia brewery, distillery, and winery deals are projection-heavy, with production capacity, taproom revenue, and inventory cycles routinely requiring independent study. Virginia's wine industry runs roughly 271 to 312 producers depending on the count and generated $8.37 billion in total economic activity per the WineAmerica 2025 study, one of the fastest-growing hybrid-grape regions in the country.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Production capacity, taproom revenue, and inventory cycles make these projection-heavy deals where studies are routinely required.
SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders funded 115 brewery, distillery, and winery projects across Virginia between FY2010 and FY2026, moving $71.2 million in approved capital at an average ticket of $619,000. That volume places Virginia at #17 of 38 states measured for brewery, distillery, and winery SBA activity, or 2.4% of national brewery, distillery, and winery dollars. The 7(a) program carried 70.4% of the loan count, with 504 taking the balance, and 10 approvals have hit the pipeline since FY2024.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 115 |
| Approved volume | $71.2 million |
| Average loan size | $619,000 |
| 7(a) share | 70.4% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 10 |
| State rank by loan count | #17 of 38 |
Among the 91 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 3.3% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for brewery, distillery, and winery is 8.1%, against 7.3% across all industries. That performance runs below the national benchmark for this asset class, a credit-positive signal for lenders.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
A 3.3% adverse-resolution rate below the national brewery, distillery, and winery benchmark of 8.1% supports the credit story for well-underwritten Virginia projects in this class. Across 115 SBA loans averaging $619,000, that track record does not eliminate the need for a third-party feasibility study, but it means a rigorous study reinforces rather than defends the projections.
Every Virginia breweries, distilleries and wineries project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
Virginia projects often pencil under SBA 504 because the 50/40/10 structure delivers up to 90 percent financing on owner-occupied real estate at a fixed debenture rate, decisive in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads land markets. SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment, and from July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Virginia's wine industry runs roughly 271 to 312 producers depending on the count and generated $8.37 billion in total economic activity per the WineAmerica 2025 study, one of the fastest-growing hybrid-grape regions in the country, with the Richmond and Northern Virginia craft scenes adding brewing depth.
For a national view of this asset class, see our brewery, distillery, and winery SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the brewery, distillery, and winery lending research on our blog.
Compare neighboring markets: Texas, Washington.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
SBA 504 through Business Finance Group
Production brewery, program evidence
Alexandria area, Virginia
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