UK gin maker Renais has selected Maison Villevert as its French distributor.

The grape gin brand is looking to expand globally and has already launched in the UK, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in the last year. Renais also launched into select US states via a partnership with the Republic National Distributing Co.

“The French market is symbolically and strategically a hugely important one for Renais, with our liquid inspired by the provenance, traditions and terroir of wine making tradition,” Renais co-funder Alex Watson said.

“We are excited to be partnering with the highly renowned Jean-Sébastien, and the Maison Villevert team, who are experts in the craft of grape based spirits and innately understand the on & off-trade holding exceptional relationships with leading bar teams across the region.”

The Renais brand was co-founded by actor Emma Watson and her brother Alex Watson in 2023.

Renais gin is made from leftover pressed grapes at the family’s winery in Northern France. It is initially distilled twice in France, before being shipped to the UK for a final distillation.

Eight people are employed by Renais and the gin is sold in 21 countries.

The “ultra-premium” gin brand was launched in the US market at the start of the month.

Alex Watson told Just Drinks this month that the “US hasn’t been on the same journey in terms of gin consumption, culture and tradition that we’ve had in the UK and I suppose Europe more broadly.”

“So the US is just beginning to enjoy some of the most exciting parts of all of the innovation that we’ve seen within gin in the UK and Europe.” He said the “plan is not to try and do everything all at once – win in each state and market first and then roll out strategically”.

The France-based spirits producer and distributor Maison Villevert was founded in 2001 by owner Jean-Sébastien Robicquet.

Last year, Maison Villevert sold off its stake in Icon Spirits, a joint venture with Proximo Spirits, the international arm of Mexico’s Becle.