Renais Gin, co-founded by Alex Watson, combines tradition with innovation, using upcycled wine grapes to create a bold, sustainable spirit. As the brand expands into Florida, Watson shares its journey and what sets Renais apart in Miami’s dynamic cocktail scene.
Renais is deeply rooted in your family’s winemaking history. Can you share how your father’s vineyards in Chablis influenced the creation of Renais Gin?
Our family history of winemaking in Chablis sits at the foundation of the creation of Renais. As kids, we were exposed to winemaking from an early age and the effort that goes into cultivating and looking after the land. We learned all about it from my father’s deep passion for this craft and now we're using grapes from our estate to bring that heritage into each bottle. It's key for us to build something new while honoring those long-standing traditions.
Renais is crafted using upcycled French wine grapes—what inspired this approach, and how does it impact the gin’s flavor profile?
When conceptualizing Renais, we knew we wanted it to be an extension of our family’s longstanding vineyard in Chablis. Using the upcycled grapes from Domaine Watson is no easy feat, it actually creates more complexities in the distillation process, but it allows us to capture our family’s rich history in each bottle of Renais which was very important to us. Grape spirit is incredibly high quality, smooth and characterful!
Renais launched in the UK in 2023 and entered the US market in June 2024. Why was Florida chosen as the next key market, and what excites you most about introducing Renais here?
Crafted to be enjoyed as both a cocktail ingredient or on the rocks, Renais is a perfect, luxurious beverage to accent the thriving culture in the Florida market. We’re set out to completely rebrand gin’s reputation, evolving it into a spirit that is no longer known as your “grandparent’s beverage of choice” and instead embraced for its versatility and complexity.
As a cocktail ingredient, it can add depth to classic gin cocktails or inspire new creations, appealing to mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts. On its own, Renais offers a refined drinking experience for those who appreciate a well-crafted spirit. This flexibility positions Renais as a unique addition to the Florida gin market, which is known for its dynamic hospitality scene and sophisticated palates.
The gin-drinking experience is central to Renais, from curated merchandise to signature cocktails. What can Floridians expect when they experience Renais for the first time?
Floridians can expect to be pleasantly surprised at how approachable Renais is for anyone from your gin-enthusiast to first timers. Not only does this make it perfect for drinking on its own, but it adds a vibrant flavor profile to any cocktail.
Renais spotlights the thoughtfully curated ingredients by creating a complex yet smooth experience, featuring mineral notes balanced with citrus, floral, and spice elements. They should anticipate tasting a gin unlike anything else on the market, sustainably made with upcycled grape skins and locally-sourced botanicals resulting in a distinct minerality and a subtle sweetness.
As siblings, you and Emma Watson co-founded Renais together. What has been the most rewarding (or surprising) part of building this brand as a family?
Building Renais as a family has been incredibly rewarding. The most surprising part has been how well we’ve been able to balance our personal connection with the challenges of business. We’ve always been close, so it’s been amazing to see our relationship translate into something so meaningful professionally. There’s a certain trust and understanding that comes from being siblings, and it’s been an incredible asset when making big decisions or navigating the ups and downs of building a company together.
From beachside lounges to high-energy nightlife, Florida and Miami, in particular, offer a diverse drinking scene. What are some ideal ways to enjoy Renais in a Miami setting?
In Miami's diverse drinking scene, Renais shines. Renais can be used for a refreshing spritz as in the Emma spritz, or frozen to keep you cool on the scorching summer days with Frozais. Renais is also great to use in traditional drinks such as the popular French 75 and the classic Gin & Soda.
Photography by: Photo Credits: Renais Gin
