Earlier this summer, English actress and activist Emma Watson and her brother, Alex, launched a gin brand, Renais, made with grapes from her family’s French wine estate. Wait, you didn’t know about the Watson family's Burgundy domaine, where the Harry Potter and Little Women star spent summers tending Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines?
“I was clearly a Burgundian soul who had the misfortune to be born in England,” says Chris Watson, father of Emma and Alex, and founder of Domaine Watson in Chablis.
The idea of Domaine Watson took root after Chris moved to Paris to work as a lawyer in the 1980s. “I made friends who all had little vineyards they had inherited, and they introduced me to winemaking,” he tells Wine Spectator. “We had so much fun fishing and drinking, they told me I was clearly a Burgundian soul who needed to find a vineyard to plant.”
In 1991, Chris bought a parcel of 90-year-old woodland in Chablis. “The story was that in the 19th century [it] had been premier cru,” he recalled. “[And then] it took eight years to obtain all the consents and approvals [to plant the vineyards].” The current lineup includes the Domaine Watson Irancy 2019 ($38) and Chablis 2022 ($38).
Emma and Alex credit their time spent working the vineyards at Domaine Watson as their inspiration to create Renais, only available in the U.K. and Europe for now. “The name is derived from ‘renaissance,’ meaning ‘rebirth’ in French,” they explain in a joint statement. “[It’s] a nod to the family’s close-knit bond … and the way the family’s vineyard has informed both the flavor and identity of the Renais brand.”
Domaine Watson’s grapes are in fact directly incorporated into Renais gin, in the form of pomace distilled to create the base spirit, to which the Watsons add pressed grand cru grapes sourced through Domaine des Malandes. Botanical and mineral flavors from juniper, coriander, citrus and honey, along with a distillate of one of Burgundy’s defining soil elements, Kimmeridgian limestone, complete the profile. “Grand cru grapes are the most prized natural ingredient from the region, and we’re very lucky to [get them]," says Alex. "The limestone is what gives Chablis [wine] its famed mineral flavor, and provides great body and structure to the gin. Renais is our family’s love letter to Chablis.”
“To me, Renais is a family project; the Chablis region evokes very special memories of growing up. I’ve loved having the opportunity to create something with my brother Alex,” says Emma. “I’m particularly proud of upcycling grapes from vineyards, including my dad’s, to reduce waste and create something new.”
And while Chris is sticking with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Alex and Emma have been busy coming up with some signature Renais-based cocktails, including "The Emma": Combine 3 parts Renais with 1 part Chablis and 2 parts each elderflower syrup and lemon juice, then mix with equal part soda water; add a few dashes of Suze liqueur and serve in an ice-filled wineglass garnished with a twist.
