KWV – South African trademarks
Updated 8 November 2026
KWV is a South African wine and spirits producer based in Paarl. Its brands include KWV brandies, Roodeberg and Laborie wines and Cruxland gin.
How KWV has built and protected its brands in South Africa – its trademark portfolio, where it expanded, how quickly its marks are registered, and who it competes with.
Download report (PDF)KWV trademarks in 45 seconds
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/kwv-south-african-trademarks/overview-video.html
A portfolio built over time
KWV filed its first South African trademark in 1928 and has filed 349 since; its busiest year was 2011, with 27 new filings. The chart shows its filings per year from 1970.
Trademarks by filing year, up to 2024; applications still pending are not included.
The names behind the portfolio
Over the years the group has filed under several names – earlier company names, holding companies and subsidiaries. We count them together.
| Name | Marks | Filing years |
|---|---|---|
| KWV | 411 | 1928–2024 |
| Kovacs Investments 427 | 1 | 2001–2001 |
Where KWV expanded its business
Trademark classes show what a business sells. KWV's portfolio is concentrated in wines & spirits (class 33), advertising & retail (class 35), beer & soft drinks (class 32). Its most recent moves were into restaurants & hotels (2007), telecoms (2005), advertising & retail (1982).
KWV trademarks: expansion into trademark classes, 1970–2024
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/kwv-south-african-trademarks/class-expansion-video.html
Each tile is a class; it lights up when the group first files in it and darkens with more filings; the dots show how many of its closest rivals also file in that class. The chart compares the number of classes used with its rivals. The video runs from 1970; classes entered earlier are lit from the start.
| Class | Marks | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 Wines & spirits | 298 | 85.4% | 1928 |
| 35 Advertising & retail | 12 | 3.4% | 1982 |
| 32 Beer & soft drinks | 10 | 2.9% | 1931 |
| 3 Cosmetics & cleaning | 5 | 1.4% | 1932 |
| 31 Fresh produce & pet food | 4 | 1.1% | 1931 |
| 41 Education & entertainment | 4 | 1.1% | 1982 |
| 29 Meat, dairy & oils | 3 | 0.9% | 1931 |
| 7 Machines | 2 | 0.6% | 1962 |
The brands KWV protects most
The word marks and logo names KWV has filed most often – the same brand filed in more classes, in more versions or again over the years.
| # | Brand | Trademarks | Classes | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | K.W.V. | 12 | 11 | 1949–1982 |
| 2 | KWV | 9 | 4 | 1930–2018 |
| 3 | K.W.V. THE KEY TO HEALTH | 6 | 5 | 1931–1950 |
| 4 | LABORIE LAZY DAYS | 4 | 4 | 2011–2011 |
| 5 | KWV - HOUSE OF BRANDY / KWV - HUIS VAN BRANDEWYN | 4 | 2 | 2002–2002 |
| 6 | HARVEST AT LABORIE | 3 | 3 | 2011–2011 |
| 7 | SENTRALE WYNBOUERS KOOPERATIEF BEPERK | 3 | 3 | 1992–1992 |
| 8 | PEARLY BAY | 3 | 1 | 1996–2007 |
| 9 | ANNABELLE | 2 | 2 | 2019–2021 |
| 10 | HOOPER'S HOOCH | 2 | 2 | 1996–1996 |
| 11 | HOUSE OF PIONEERS | 2 | 2 | 2014–2014 |
| 12 | KWV 10 ICON | 2 | 2 | 2005–2005 |
| 13 | KWV HOB HOUSE OF BRANDY | 2 | 2 | 2009–2009 |
| 14 | KWV - THE HOUSE OF CAPE ALAMBIC | 2 | 2 | 2002–2002 |
| 15 | LABORIE | 2 | 2 | 1972–2007 |
Logos filed most often (since 2020)
KWV's logos
The 10 different logos KWV has had published since 2020 – each logo shown once, however many classes or versions it was filed in. Logos protected in more classes come first.
How quickly its trademarks are registered
Over the last five years, KWV's marks took a median of 2.6 years from filing to registration, faster than the market's 2.7 years. Most of that time is examination: 1.6 years from filing to acceptance (market: 1.9). Registration itself follows about half a year after acceptance.
Median years from filing to registration per registration year, split into examination (filing → acceptance) and acceptance → registration; the dashed line is the market median. A high recent value means older applications came through that year.
Who files the most in KWV's classes
Ranked by number of trademarks filed in KWV's main classes – any company that files there, whatever else it does (including retailers' own brands). This shows KWV's market position, not who is most like it.
In the last five years, KWV was #2 of 1,088 filers in class 33 (wines & spirits), with 34 of 2,324 trademarks; #727 of 905 filers in class 32 (beer & soft drinks), with 1 of 1,804 trademarks.
KWV's share of all trademarks filed in each of its main classes, per filing year.
Top trademark filers in class 33 (wines & spirits), South Africa 1975–2024: KWV
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/kwv-south-african-trademarks/class-33-race-video.html
Main competitors – the companies most like KWV
Ranked by how similar their whole trademark portfolio is to KWV's – the same mix of classes and the same words in their marks – not by size. Large filers in its classes that do something different rank lower here.
KWV's closest competitors in South Africa are DGB, Sazerac Brands, Spier and Distell.
KWV trademarks vs competitors: filings per year, 2010–2024
Watch the video on its own page, with transcript – https://snz.co.za/trademark-country-selection-direct/kwv-south-african-trademarks/competitors-video.html
Trademark filings per year: KWV (orange) and its five closest competitors.
| # | Company | Relationship | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DGB | Direct competitor | 100% |
| 2 | Sazerac Brands | Direct competitor | 82% |
| 3 | Spier | Direct competitor | 76% |
| 4 | Distell | Direct competitor | 76% |
| 5 | Charles Back Trademark Trust | Direct competitor | 76% |
| 6 | Suntory | Direct competitor | 76% |
| 7 | Time Being of the Aj and F Charnaud Tru… | Direct competitor | 76% |
| 8 | Irish Distillers International | Direct competitor | 70% |
| 9 | Bacardi and | Direct competitor | 70% |
| 10 | Pernod Ricard | Direct competitor | 70% |
Similarity of trademark activity since 2015 (classes and words used in marks). Retailers appear where their own brands compete on the shelf.
KWV – relevant export countries
South Africa exported US$3.7 billion of the goods KWV's main classes cover in the last year – alcoholic beverages; beer; wine; alcoholic preparations (class 33); beer; fruit juices; syrups; mineral and aerated waters (class 32); cosmetics; essential oils; perfumes (class 3); pet food; seeds; live cannabis plants (class 31); meat; fish; jams (class 29). Combining where these goods are exported, imported, growing and made (and copied), and what protection costs, these are the markets where KWV's trademarks matter most.
Where South Africa exports KWV's top goods
KWV's trademarks most often cover alcoholic beverages, beer, cosmetics, pet food and meat. South Africa's ten largest export markets for these goods took 67% of its exports of them in 2024.
South Africa's exports of each good to the country in 2024 (US$ million). The goods are the ones KWV's specifications mention most in its main classes; the figures are national exports, not the company's own sales.
Adjust the weightings
These weightings decide how the countries below are ranked. Change any value and the others adjust to keep the total at 100%.
Worldwide
| # | Market | Score | SA exports | Import growth / yr | Route | Cost, 5 classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | European Union | 83 | US$747 m | +5% | National | US$2,388 |
| 2 | United States of America | 72 | US$241 m | +0% | National | US$3,425 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 71 | US$215 m | +5% | National | US$1,371 |
| 4 | China | 70 | US$70 m | -9% | National | US$1,224 |
| 5 | Japan | 64 | US$56 m | -4% | National | US$1,774 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 59 | US$14 m | +2% | National | US$1,660 |
| 7 | Hong Kong SAR | 58 | US$19 m | +3% | National | US$1,715 |
| 8 | Russian Federation | 57 | US$13 m | +4% | National | US$1,915 |
| 9 | Philippines | 56 | US$18 m | -1% | National | US$1,526 |
| 10 | Nigeria | 56 | US$28 m | -4% | National | US$1,015 |
Africa
| # | Market | Score | SA exports | Import growth / yr | Route | Cost, 5 classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 56 | US$28 m | -4% | National | US$1,015 S&Z |
| 2 | Mozambique | 55 | US$197 m | +7% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 3 | OAPI (17 states) | 55 | US$23 m | +8% | National | US$1,563 S&Z |
| 4 | Lesotho | 54 | US$130 m | -5% | National | US$326 |
| 5 | Botswana | 54 | US$277 m | -1% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 6 | Zimbabwe | 54 | US$171 m | +4% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 7 | Eswatini | 52 | US$103 m | -5% | National | US$446 |
| 8 | Malawi | 52 | US$36 m | -0% | ARIPO | US$450 S&Z |
| 9 | Egypt | 52 | US$13 m | -6% | National | US$2,278 |
| 10 | Algeria | 50 | US$476 k | +58% | National | US$1,445 |
SA exports = South Africa's exports of these goods to the market in the last year. Ranked with the default weightings. Score 0–100 from South Africa's exports of the goods to the market, net imports, import growth, foreign trademark filings, where the goods are made, market size and the cost of protection. Costs are total fees (official and professional) to file in 5 classes; ARIPO costs are per country, plus US$301 once per ARIPO application; S&Z = S&Z's own all-in price. Goods are taken from the classes and specifications, so the ranking is indicative.
Trade data: CEPII BACI (version 202601, trade flows 2022–2024), Licence Etalab 2.0; aggregated and combined with other data by S&Z.
Protecting its top brands in Nigeria and OAPI with S&Z
| Brand | Classes | Nigeria | OAPI (17 states) |
|---|---|---|---|
| K.W.V. | 11 | US$2,233 | US$2,671 |
| KWV | 4 | US$812 | US$1,378 |
| K.W.V. THE KEY TO HEALTH | 5 | US$1,015 | US$1,563 |
| LABORIE LAZY DAYS | 4 | US$812 | US$1,378 |
| KWV - HOUSE OF BRANDY / KWV - HUIS VAN BRANDEWYN | 2 | US$406 | US$1,009 |
S&Z all-in prices per brand in its number of classes, filing to registration.
TM Country Selection Rank the countries for your own goods and get the quotes.
Word marks you may have considered opposing
For KWV's five most-filed brands: word marks of other companies (not KWV's own group) that our similar word mark search, SimTM, found in the brand's own classes, and that we consider confusingly similar – from the earliest match found to today.
Similar to K.W.V. (classes 3, 32, 33, 35, 41; no close matches in the search)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found.
Similar to KWV (classes 3, 31, 33, 35; no close matches in the search)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found.
Similar to K.W.V. THE KEY TO HEALTH (classes 1, 29, 31, 32, 33; searched 2019-07-31 to 2026-11-08)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found in this period.
Similar to LABORIE LAZY DAYS (classes 29, 31, 33, 35; searched 2019-11-27 to 2026-11-08)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found in this period.
Similar to KWV - HOUSE OF BRANDY / KWV - HUIS VAN BRANDEWYN (classes 33, 35; searched 2018-03-28 to 2026-11-08)
No confusingly similar marks of other companies found in this period.
Similarity of the words only. Whether a mark could have been opposed depends on the goods and services, the reputation of the brand and the facts – S&Z can advise. New marks like these are what SimTM watch reports as they are published.
How S&Z can help you
S&Z does not just file trademarks. We are a technology-first firm that manages trademarks – analysing your data, monitoring competitors and making sure your trademark assets remain protected.
We manage your trademarks – not just file them
Analysing your data, monitoring competitors and making sure your trademark assets remain protected:
Filing and renewal at fixed, all-inclusive prices
S&Z prices – South African trademarks
| Filing, first class – incl. official fee, examination report, routine office action, acceptance, publication, registration and e-certificate | US$240 |
| Each additional class of the same mark, filed at the same time | US$225 |
| Renewal online, per class (every 10 years from filing) | R1,027 ≈ US$62.29 |
Renewal in rand; US$ at R16.49 per US$.
KWV's next five years of renewals
75 of KWV's registered marks reach their ten-year renewal date in 2027–2031. Renewed online with S&Z, that costs about US$4,672 over the five years.
KWV: frequently asked questions
What should KWV consider for its trademarks?
- Where to file next: its goods sell strongly in Nigeria, Mozambique and OAPI (17 states) – markets where South African exports of the same goods are large or growing, and where S&Z files at its own all-in prices (see “KWV – relevant export countries”).
- Brand coverage: Kwv - House Of Brandy / Kwv - Huis Van Brandewyn is protected in only one or two classes – check whether related goods or services (for example merchandise or online services) need cover too.
- Renewals and use: keep track of the ten-year renewal dates and of marks that are no longer used – unused marks can be challenged after five years, and some may no longer be worth renewing.