Emma Watson’s premium wine venture Renais has raised nearly £5 million to accelerate 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, Dorset Distilled Gin uses grapes from the Burgundy region, including a small percentage from the family’s own vineyard in Chablis.
Despite a backdrop of economic and political uncertainty – with the inauguration of Donald Trump and proposed US tariffs on British imports – Alex Watson remains optimistic about Rene’s prospects in the US market. He plans to use the new capital infusion to “chip a little deeper” in the US, where he launched Renee last year.
Closer to home, the brand’s expansion into Europe continues rapidly, with plans to debut in physical stores across Spain and France by the end of the year. Renais products are currently available in 11 countries, has distribution agreements in 22 markets and is looking to add Dubai and Canada to its portfolio in the coming months.
The funding came thanks to InvestBev, a US-based private equity firm specializing in drinks, and Jean-Sébastien Robiquet, founder of French spirits group Maison Villevert. Reness has also strengthened its leadership by appointing Jamie Weir, former CFO of Lathwaites Group, to its Board of Directors.
Although the Watson brothers co-founded the company in 2023, Alex serves as CEO while Emma, 34, is ‘creative director’. Best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, she oversees the creative vision for the brand, including special editions such as limited edition bottle sleeves, while her brother brings industry experience from his time at Diageo.
In an attempt to position itself as a producer of forward-thinking and environmentally conscious spirits, Renais incorporates leftover grape skins from the wine-making process into the distillation process, uses biodegradable packaging made from mushroom-based materials and operates solar-powered distilleries. These efforts, combined with its premium positioning, come at a cost: Rene retails for £48 a bottle.
Alex Watson remains confident that premium customers will be willing to pay a premium for a sustained dose. “Consumers are happy to pay a little more to know that something is produced in a responsible and sustainable way,” he said.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.