EDITED BY JAMIE COELHO
On Tap: Mead for the Masses
An industrial space specializes in the wine-like beverage made from honey. By Lauren Clem
Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton.
JAMIE BURNET IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL WINEMAKER.
For starters, Arcane Mead & Winery, the business he owns with his husband, Jake Tobak, is not located on a vineyard in the midst of rolling green vines. Instead, it’ s tucked into an industrial corner of Providence’ s Olneyville neighborhood in a space formerly occupied by Butterbang. Inside, the tasting room has the feel of an early 2000s-era brewery, with brewing equipment in full view and a small bar where you can chat with the owners about the latest selection.
For another, that selection is unlike anything you’ ll find at another local beverage producer. While it’ s licensed as a winery( Rhode Island has no separate license to make mead), Arcane’ s menu runs the gamut from traditional mead— a wine-like beverage made from honey and water— to mead-wine hybrids designed to taste like your favorite cocktails. There’ s even a hopped mead that draws inspiration from the craft beer industry.
Arcane Mead & Winery is the result of several years’ effort by Tobak and Burnet, a longtime homebrewer who was ready to make the jump into commercial production. He got into beverage making fifteen years ago while living with his father in Virginia, when the pair began experimenting with winemaking from kits.“ I dabbled in mead throughout that period, but mostly I brewed a lot of beer,” he says.
In Rhode Island, Burnet is an active member of the homebrewing community and previously worked as a bartender at Foolproof Brewing Company. Burnet and Tobak felt mead was an untapped market in Rhode Island, giving them an opportunity to experiment with beverages most of their audience has never tasted before.
“ I want this to feel like a wacky candy shop where anything could go on draft,” Burnet says. arcanemeadandwinery. com
Arcane Mead & Winery, located in Olneyville.
Event Spotlight
Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton is toasting to its fiftieth anniversary with a two-day harvest celebration Oct. 11 – 12. The family-friendly event will feature live music, wine tastings, food, seasonal activities and a special Sunday harvest market showcasing local makers and educators. On Oct. 11, there will be live music from the Dave Alves Band from 1 – 4 p. m., an all-day self-guided vineyard walking tour and scavenger hunt with stops highlighting Sakonnet’ s history and sustainable practices, and old-fashioned outdoor fun. On Oct. 12, a Harvest Market( in collaboration with the Tiverton Farmers Market) will feature sixty to seventy local vendors, makers and growers, while regional experts in regenerative farming, beekeeping and winemaking will host educational sessions and demonstrations.— J. C.
Diner’ s Update
The latest food, drink and dining news and events.
The Jewish deli Maven’ s Delicatessen is opening a second location on Providence’ s Thayer Street this fall, called Maven’ s Jr. Diners can expect the same pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, bagels, salmon and lox, matzo ball soup and more, now steps away from Brown University. Ć A makeshift bar for the movie set of Ella McCay is now the real-life home of Sawyer’ s Market on the West End of Providence. The space was reimagined into a market, cafe and wine bar after filming concluded, and now you can peruse the shelves for sandwiches, salads, goodies and flowers for home. Ć Newport Restaurant Group’ s former Foodlove Market space in Middletown will soon become J. T. Commons. The space will offer a casual, comfortable year-round dining experience anchored by an extensive pizza program and a menu of everyday favorites.— J. C.
PHOTOGRAPHY( CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP LEFT): COURTESY OF LOMA / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE KRAMM AND JHONNY RAMOS; COURTESY OF SAKONNET VINEYARD / DAVID BETTENCOURT; COURTESY OF ARCANE MEAD & WINERY; JAMIE COELHO.
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I OCTOBER 2025 133