New vineyard in Sussex
We've just found a delightful new vineyard, just outside of Ditchling, north of Brighton near Lewis. We have now started offering private wine tours to Artelium.
Artelium wine estate was founded in 2018 by Julie Bretland and Mark Collins. They had a passion to find something to do after their working careers ended in the big city. The vineyard is perfectly located near the South Downs just outside Plumpton which is known for its horse racetrack and rather successful college known for viticulture and winemaking.
Looking to escape to the country, they wanted to be close to friends and family out in the countryside near East Sussex. So they found a plot of land, just outside of Hassocks, near Lewis which is north of Brighton. Email us for more detail on how to visit.
The Winemakers Art
The couple planted their first vines in 2018 (Streat), near Hassocks and their second planting was established in 2020 (Madehurst near Arundel).
At the time of writing this Artelium have released two sparkling wines. Mark and Julie have selected Dermot Sugrue to weald his artistic craft. Dermot has been the winemaker for Nyetimber, Wiston Estate, and Oaskbrook Vineyard but he also makes his own wine too. Most of Arteliums sparkling wine has been aged for at least a minimum of five years on the lees and is now tasting rather beautifully.
Passion for Art and Wine
The name is very unique. It has to do with the origins of their passion and desire for artwork and wine. It sounds very Romanesque, but the idea and the vision of the future is that the vineyard will be a living piece of artwork, with sculpture throughout the vineyard that incorporates the lay of the land and footpaths. The site has beautiful landscape views of the South Downs which is artwork in itself.
