Of the community
Kango Wines is not only Proudly South African, but also a proud representative of the Western Cape’s Klein Karoo and Swartberg regions.

The Kango Co-op was founded in 1926 as the Kango Co-operative Tobacco Company. Some half a century later a wine cellar was established to meet the needs of local grape producers. The first grapes were accepted during the 1975 harvest, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, the harvest yields approximately 3,500 metric tons annually.

For the community
As an organisation for and of the community, Kango Co-op in 2005 restructured its bottling and marketing plant into a company, Kango Wines, in order to implement a unique empowerment deal for employees and farm workers to the tune of R4.2 million.

For the first time, farm labourers were able to secure shares in a profitable local agricultural company instead of having to face an uncertain future as landowners – in an industry where profit margins are under a lot of pressure.

On a different note, Kango Wines actively supports the development of the Arts in South Africa, most notably through its involvement in the celebrated ABSA Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, held in Oudtshoorn every year. The festival generates significant interest in and exposure for the area and its residents.

Wine with credentials
Already a preferred brand in South Africa, Kango Wines is fast establishing an international foothold too. Wine has already been exported to the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, while markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America have been identified. Cultivars for export include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Merlot and a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz.

Our products have received high accolades from far and wide. Here are just a few highlights from the many awards we’ve received:

Kango Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz Red Blend
o 2007 Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards – Gold Medal and Best Value Red Wine For Under R60 (Swiss International)
o 2007 (10-22 July) Sunday Times Top 10 – 5th place

Kango Ruby Cabernet
o Wine Magazine – selected for inclusion in annual best value wine guide

Kango Morio Muscat Sparkling Wine
o Wine Magazine – selected for inclusion in annual best value wine guide

Rijckshof Red Muscadel
o 2007 Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards – Silver Medal
o 2007 Michaelangelo International Wine Awards – Gold Medal
o 2008 Wine Magazine – selected for inclusion in annual best value wine guide

Rijckshof White Muscadel
o 2005 SA Muscadel Association – selected as one of South Africa’s Top 10 sweet wines
o 2008 Wine Magazine – selected for inclusion in annual best value wine guide

Rijckshof Hanepoort
o 2008 Wine Magazine – selected for inclusion in annual best value wine guide

Cellar awards
o 2004 and 2007 Klein Karoo Young Wine Show – Champion Co-op