Over the course of its 100 years, KWV played a foundational role in the industry and careers of many winemakers.
KWV provided a pioneering and development platform to the industry with many industry heavyweights having walked its passages and worked in its cellars.
Examples are Charles Kohler, the man who envisioned a better future for the South Africa wine farmer and motivated for the unification of farmers by a single body, which became KWV; Professor Izak Perold, the ‘father of Pinotage’; Buks Venter whose pioneering contribution to the brandy industry is well recognised, and many others.
It is the collective memories of these legends that KWV wishes to honour as it celebrates its centenary.
Boyce Lloyd, CEO at KWV said that KWV’s 100th year is only made possible with the support of their local and international consumers: “Turn to anyone with a longstanding history in wine or a person with a genuine love for the wine industry, and they will be able to tell you a story about KWV, its products, the characters that forged the industry and the company.
“KWV’s roots spread far and wide, which is why we see the celebration of KWV’s 100th year not as ours alone. We are celebrating how far we have come as an industry”.
The company said that it would during 2018 celebrate the personal accounts of wine industry personalities who once played an important role at KWV – and had a major influence on the growth and development of the South African wine industry as a result.
