Emma Watson’s Brother Alex Says He’s ‘Grateful’ to Work with Her on Their Gin Even If ‘We Butt Heads’ (Exclusive)

Renais Gin by Alex Watson and Emma Watson has reached America.

The brother and sister duo launched their luxury modern gin in the UK in May 2023, and now, the award-winning spirit — infused with natural botanicals including juniper berries, cubeb berries, Kimmeridgian stone, acacia honey, lime blossom, grand cru grapes and more — is officially available in the US, in stores and online.

Alex, 31, spoke to PEOPLE about how he and Harry Potter actress, 34, created Renais Gin more than three decades after their father Chris Watson planted their vineyards in Chablis, France.

Renais Gin by Emma and Alex Watson.

courtesy of Renais Gin

“Our dad has been in the wine business for a very long time, and we’ve both kind of grown up around it over the last 30 years,” says Alex. “We talked before about how to respect that and move on.”

Noting his previous experience in the drinks industry, Alex adds that creating with his sister couldn’t have come at a better time.

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“Emma is now in a place where she’s more into her creative endeavors and we kind of put our heads together and said, ‘It would be really nice to do this project,'” he says. “[It] it has a big sustainability lens, which is important to both of us.” (They recycle grape skins from the winemaking process for Renais.)

This venture “works well for both of our strengths,” he adds.

In an interview from April 2023 Financial Times Alongside Alex and their father Chris, 65, Emma revealed she was “not very happy” while filming her 2019 film. Little Women it was released in cinemas.

Renais Gin by Emma and Alex Watson.

courtesy of Renais Gin

“I wasn’t really happy, to be honest,” she told the newspaper. “I think I felt a little bit shut down. What was really hard for me was having to go out and sell something that I really didn’t have a lot of control over.”

Alex tells PEOPLE that “it was so nice” to see Emma blossom with Renais Gina — as she even directed a special commercial announcing the product’s expansion to the United States.

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“Ems has been in front of the camera since she was nine years old, and then she shot solidly probably until she was 25. Harry Potter films and then a few more projects. So I think when you stop and take a moment and step outside of that, then you can start telling your own stories,” he says. “She’s a very bright, multi-talented person with a lot of other dynamics and things to offer. And when you’ve been doing one thing for most of your life, I think it’s really important to get out there and express yourself in other ways. And I think that’s what Renais is to her.”

As for working with his family, Alex tells PEOPLE that he considers it a “very cherished, special time.”

“Dad often comes everywhere,” he says. Chris can even be seen making cameos on Renais’ social media accounts and is sometimes pranked into testing certain drinks.

“Spending time with my dad and sister doing this is honestly great. I will always be very grateful for this time period and the nature of this project,” Alex tells PEOPLE. “At the same time, there are creative differences. I think it’s good because Emma and I stay on our tracks, but she’s definitely a bit of a perfectionist, which can be quite challenging. I’m probably a bit more pragmatic, so we clash there occasionally, but overall it’s very nice.”

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To mark Renais’ US release, Alex recently spent time in Los Angeles, New York and Miami where, he says, he enjoyed “getting a feel for the drinking culture” in each area.

“Because gin has a very different perception in the US, it’s actually a lot of fun to get stuck in and have a few drinks with people and show them what else gin can be,” he says. “That’s the mission we have to continue is to convince people in the US that vodka martinis are not a thing, but gin martinis are the way forward.”

Renais Gin by Emma and Alex Watson.

courtesy of Renais Gin

Alex is a real bartender himself, he says he likes a “round of martinis” if he’s showing off, but he’ll opt for a “syringe” if he’s looking for something more distinct.

If he goes head-to-head in a friendly brewing competition against Emma, ​​things can get heated.

“She’s such a little nerd, she’ll just go off and study,” laughs Alex. “I’m very competitive and then I become the best at it. So that’s me for now, but it could very well be her by next week.”

Renais Gin, which is distilled from processed French wine grapes, inspired by the heritage and origins of French winemaking in Northern France, is now available at all Total Wines in California.

Renais also ships direct to customers through its website in 41 countries.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education