Emma Watson’s premium gin venture Renais has raised nearly £5 million to speed up its global expansion, building on its reputation for sustainable production and strong international demand.
Co-founded by the Harry Potter star and her brother, Alex Watson, the Dorset-distilled gin uses grapes sourced from the Burgundy region, including a small proportion from the family’s own vineyard in Chablis.
Despite a backdrop of economic and political uncertainty — with Donald Trump’s inauguration and proposed US tariffs on British imports — Alex Watson remains optimistic about Renais’s prospects in the American market. He plans to use the fresh capital injection to “crack a bit more deeply” into the US, where Renais launched last year.
Closer to home, the brand’s expansion into Europe continues apace, with plans to debut in physical stores across Spain and France by the end of the year. Currently available in 11 countries, Renais has distribution agreements in 22 markets and is looking to add Dubai and Canada to its roster over the coming months.
Funding has come courtesy of InvestBev, a US-based private equity firm specialising in drinks, and Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, the founder of French spirits group Maison Villevert. Renais has also strengthened its leadership with the appointment of Jimmy Weir, former group chief financial officer of Lathwaites, to its board.
Although both Watson siblings co-founded the business in 2023, Alex serves as chief executive while Emma, 34, holds the position of “creative director”. Best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, she oversees the brand’s creative vision, including special editions such as limited-edition bottle sleeves, while her brother brings industry expertise from his time at Diageo.
In a bid to position itself as a forward-thinking, eco-conscious spirits producer, Renais incorporates grape skins leftover from the wine-making process into its distillation, uses biodegradable packaging made from mushroom-based materials and operates solar-powered distilleries. These efforts, combined with its premium positioning, come at a cost: Renais retails at £48 a bottle.
Alex Watson remains confident that discerning customers will be willing to pay a premium for a sustainable tipple. “Consumers are happy to pay a little bit more to know that something is produced responsibly and sustainably,” he said.
