Started as a small cooperative of growers in 1918, KWV has become a major pioneer leading the development of South African wines. Timothy Schoener, the United States representative of KWV, elaborates on some of the impressive history of the company: “...as the country’s first and only wine-and-spirits regulator at the time, KWV was a driving force in supporting, structuring and transforming the South African wine industry – it is safe to say that the [South African] wine industry as we know it today was shaped by KWV and the people who worked in its cellars and walked its passages.”
In today’s vibrant world of South African wine, KWV is no longer a cooperative, but continues to play an important role in the industry, buying grapes from nearly 50 growers. This wide range of partners gives them access to high quality grapes during every vintage. It is this pool of quality fruit that allows KWV to produce over 100 products, including spirits and fortified wines in addition to still wines, that are sold in over 100 countries.
Their size and scope allow for exceedingly strict quality standards. There is careful selection of the ingredients from the vineyards to the bottle, as Schoener explains: “Only the healthiest grapes are selected in the vineyard, with further selection processes...in the cellar...only the finest pressed juice [is] selected for fermentation…[and] only the best quality wine is selected for further fermentation and/or maturation.” The ability to hand pick at every step of the process without wasting what doesn’t make the cut helps explain the price to quality value ratio.
Winner of the 2017 Chairman’s Trophy, their KWV Classic Collection Pinotage 2015 Western Cape scored 94 Points with a price tag of under $10. A juicy red with nice purity of fruit, it opens with crunchy red berry fruit. A rustic, garrigue character comes through on the mid-palate, and a bitter green vegetable note lingers through the finish.
Celebrating 100 years in 2018, KWV is looking forward to their centennial celebrations including limited releases, specialised wine tours, and its historic 100th harvest.
