Inspired by their father’s passion for winemaking, sibling duo Alex and Emma Watson are adding to the family story with their gin brand Renais.
Distilled from upcycled grape skins from the family’s wine estate in Chablis, France, Renais made headlines following its launch in 2023 – and recently landed in the US.
In the latest episode of The Spirits Business Podcast, Alex Watson shares how family, terroir and sustainability played crucial roles in designing his gin brand, Renais.
“I had been kind of ruminating on the idea for a while and talking about how we could use the leftover grape skins including from our own family’s winery to make something and Emma was the one that was like, ‘you actually have to do that’. Or, you know, at the very least, ‘you have to stop talking about it – you should really go do that, and I want to be a part of it’.
“Ironically, my dad… I think your parents are worried for you and they kind of want what’s best for you, so my dad was like, ‘no, no, you’ve just got this job at Diageo and it’s great’. They’re scared for the worst outcomes for you.
“But, Emma was like, ‘I want to be a part of that’. She feels the same sense of community and sense of place and attachment to Chablis that I do. It’s kind of like a second home for us – and actually one where, she’s given more space and a lot more peace because the funny thing is, we can be walking down the street and someone will stop us to take a picture with my dad. And she’s kind of just seen as part of this bigger family or community, which is really sweet.”
And the rest, as they say, is history. Alex delves into how he and Emma draw on their personal strengths – his background in the spirits industry with a successful career at Johnnie Walker and Tanqueray owner Diageo – and her creative experience across film, fashion, music and art.
Sustainability is a core component of the brand’s ethos, and Alex also goes into detail about why eco-friendly values are so important to the siblings.
Episode eight of The Spirits Business Podcast is available to listen to on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon.
Alternatively, click the link below to listen to the latest episode with Renais Gin co-founder Alex Watson.
Episodes one to seven featured Brothers’ Bond Bourbon, Equal Measures, Sastrería Martinez, The Pinnacle Guide, Be Inclusive Hospitality, OurWhisky Foundation and Equiano Rum.
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Author: Melita Kiely
