KWV is dedicated to the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of the wine industry. The company supports a variety of non-profit organisations, environmental initiatives and research projects to uplift the local community of the Cape Winelands.
KWV’s commitment to environmental preservation is reflected in its policy and Integrated Management System (IMS). The company ensures that practices and procedures relating to the purchase of raw materials, as well as production and packaging operations, are evaluated so as to guarantee minimal detrimental effect on the environment.
In addition to practices concerning sustainability, KWV’s IMS also places an emphasis on product quality, food safety, employee health and safety, and waste management. KWV has reviewed current waste streams in order to optimize the recycling program and to minimise waste to landfill.
KWV and all its grape and wine product suppliers are accredited members of the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme, an internationally leading, extensive and strict sustainability programme. In addition to comprehensive requirements relating to agricultural best practices, the IPW also contains guidelines dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity in the Winelands.
Furthermore, KWV supports socio-economic development through charitable contributions to organisations such as the Pebbles Project, Khula Development Group, Aware.org, The Clothing Bank, Paarl School for Special Needs and a number of soup kitchens and daycares.
For most of the 20th century, co-operatives defined the landscape of South African wine before moving into the back row to make way for ente...