shane eaton 3/19/26 shane eaton 3/19/26

Arcane

With over 20 years in the wine industry, Fabio Cagnetti has worked as everything from a wine critic to an exporter. After opening pioneering natural wine bars in Tallinn (2015) and Paris (2017), he published his Manifesto of Contemporary Wine in 2019. In it, he rejects the extremes of both rigid, conventional enology and dogmatic natural wine, championing a balanced approach that values both substance and style. Recognizing Milano as Italy's most dynamic city, he relocated there in 2022. By late 2024, he stepped back from his other European collaborations to focus entirely on his definitive personal project: Arcane Wines.

Arcane Wines is a wine bar, shop, and restaurant built around Fabio’s personal collection. Over the last 25 years, he has gathered 4,000 bottles, which are now available for guests to try. Amazingly, the by-the-glass selection of 13 wines changes completely every seven days, with a commitment to never repeat the same label within the same year.

If you are looking for a rare bottle at a reasonable price, there is no better choice in the city. I was most impressed with the wide variety of producers showcased at Arcane. Instead of sticking strictly to the natural or classic camp, Fabio refreshingly offers the best of both worlds without ever compromising on quality.

Expect great Italian producers such as Ar.Pe.Pe., Valentini, and Rinaldi, alongside the best of France and biodynamic producers from Slovenia. The selection ranges from great value wines, like Jean Féry & Fils from Burgundy, all the way up to 1980s Bruno Giacosa for a special occasion.

In addition to more elaborate dishes from the kitchen, you will find outstanding cheeses from Contrada Bricconi, cold cuts from Spigaroli, and bread from Trama.

Some of the excellent dishes available at Arcane

Con oltre vent'anni di esperienza nel settore del vino, Fabio Cagnetti ha lavorato in ogni ambito, da critico enologico a esportatore. Dopo aver aperto wine bar pionieristici dedicati ai vini naturali a Tallinn (2015) e a Parigi (2017), nel 2019 ha pubblicato il suo Manifesto del vino contemporaneo. In questo testo, rifiuta gli estremismi sia della rigida enologia convenzionale sia delle derive dogmatiche del vino naturale, facendosi paladino di un approccio equilibrato che valorizza tanto la sostanza quanto la forma.

Riconoscendo Milano come la città più dinamica d'Italia, ci si è trasferito nel 2022. Alla fine del 2024, ha fatto un passo indietro dalle sue altre collaborazioni europee per concentrarsi interamente sul suo progetto personale e definitivo: Arcane Wines.

Arcane Wines è un'enoteca, negozio e ristorante costruito attorno alla collezione personale di Fabio. Negli ultimi 25 anni ha raccolto 4.000 bottiglie, che ora sono a disposizione degli ospiti. Straordinariamente, la mescita di 13 vini cambia integralmente ogni sette giorni, con l’impegno a non ripetere mai la stessa etichetta nello stesso anno.

Se cercate una bottiglia rara a un prezzo ragionevole, non c'è scelta migliore in città. Sono rimasto molto colpito dall'ampia varietà di produttori in mostra da Arcane. Invece di limitarsi rigorosamente allo schieramento dei vini naturali o di quelli classici, Fabio offre una ventata d'aria fresca proponendo il meglio di entrambi i mondi, senza mai scendere a compromessi sulla qualità.

Aspettatevi grandi produttori italiani come Ar.Pe.Pe., Valentini e Rinaldi, affiancati al meglio della Francia e a produttori biodinamici della Slovenia. La selezione spazia da vini dall'ottimo rapporto qualità-prezzo, come Jean Féry & Fils dalla Borgogna, fino a bottiglie di Bruno Giacosa degli anni '80 per un'occasione speciale.

Oltre ai piatti più elaborati in uscita dalla cucina, troverete formaggi eccezionali di Contrada Bricconi, salumi di Spigaroli e il pane di Trama.

shane eaton 3/12/26 shane eaton 3/12/26

Spirits of the Ubud Jungle

From Jungle to Glass: The "Spirits of the Ubud Jungle" Experience

The name "Ubud" is rooted in the Balinese word Ubad, meaning medicine. In this lush region, botanicals are far more than just garnishes; they carry profound spiritual weight. It is only fitting, then, that the jungle’s natural abundance would eventually be translated into world-class mixology. In late February 2026, the "Spirits of the Ubud Jungle" event did exactly that.

Hosted by Ambar Ubud Bar at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, this collaborative event was much more than a standard bar takeover. It was a rare, creative dialogue blending the expertise of Asia’s most celebrated mixologists with one of Bali’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

A Setting Above the Clouds

Ambar, which translates to "sky" in Sanskrit, sits perched on a clifftop offering panoramic views of the rainforest and the Ayung River below. The venue is deeply connected to its surroundings, a philosophy championed by Head Mixologist Adi San. Ambar's identity is defined by a hyperlocal approach, relying heavily on indigenous botanicals, house-made vermouths, and spirits aged in coconuts.

An International Lineup of Visionaries

To interpret the spirit of the jungle, Ambar invited five acclaimed bars from across Asia, each bringing their distinct philosophy to the Balinese canopy:

Fura (Singapore): Founded by Christina Rasmussen and Sasha Wijidessa, Fura is one of Singapore’s most forward-thinking sustainable bars. Fura built its reputation on radical ingredient transparency: using invasive species, food-waste fermentations, and hyper-seasonal produce to create cocktails that feel like dispatches from the future of drinking. Ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Fura won the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award in 2024.
COA (Hong Kong): A legendary agave-focused bar led by Jay Khan (Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ 2025 Roku Industry Icon). COA’s dedication to indigenous Mexican spirits translated seamlessly to Bali's local botanicals.
Carrots (Jakarta): Debuting at No. 34 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, Carrots approaches cocktail creation from a chef’s perspective, making them perfectly suited for an event focused on foraging.
Le Chamber (Seoul): Ranked No. 50 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, this venue brings South Korean drinking culture to life through meticulous technique and theatrical presentation.
Workshop 14 (Hanoi): Winner of the 2025 Campari One To Watch Award, this rising star blends Vietnamese heritage with modern craft under the guidance of bartender Rich McDonough.

The Format: A Foraged Black Box Challenge

Rather than relying on pre-planned menus, the event utilized a "Black Box" format. The visiting bartenders arrived armed only with their techniques and philosophies, tasked with crafting spontaneous cocktails using foraged local ingredients. This constraint sparked incredible creativity, resulting in drinks shaped entirely by the surrounding environment. The guest shifts took place over two evenings in rotating one-hour slots.

The Evolution of Bali's Cocktail Culture

"Spirits of the Ubud Jungle" highlighted a global shift toward conscious bartending—a movement where responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and respect for traditional knowledge are integral to the craft.

Ambar, alongside partners like Fura and COA, proved that sustainability is a practice, not just a marketing tool. Furthermore, the event signaled a maturation in Bali's cocktail scene. Moving beyond casual beach clubs, the island is cementing itself as a serious destination for mixology. By foraging the very same canopy that local healers have used for centuries, today's bartenders are honoring the true, medicinal roots of Ubud.