Artelium Wine Estate (Madehurst)

Artelium Wine Estate: A Contemporary English Wine Destination in the Sussex South Downs

Tucked into the rolling chalk hills of the East Sussex South Downs, between the villages of Streat and Plumpton, Artelium Wine Estate is one of the most talked-about new faces of modern English wine. Founded by Julie Bretland and Mark Collins and run today in partnership with celebrated winemakers Dermot Sugrue and Owen Elias, Artelium is a contemporary English wine estate that fuses regenerative viticulture, classical winemaking and contemporary art into a single destination. Whether you arrive for a guided vineyard walk, a long lunch on the sun-drenched terrace or one of the Fire & Wine Friday feasts, the estate offers a complete Sussex wine-country experience rooted in craft, place and people.

Our Story: Crafted with Passion, Rooted in Art, Nature and People

Artelium is an artisan English wine producer nestled in the heart of the Sussex countryside. Founded by Julie Bretland and Mark Collins, the estate is the realisation of a shared vision: to create exceptional wines, exhibit contemporary art and craft, and to celebrate the people and stories behind them. From the beginning, Artelium was about more than winemaking - Julie and Mark set out to build a place where creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration could come together, drawing inspiration from the vibrant South Downs landscape and the growing international prestige of English wine.

The couple partnered with Dermot Sugrue and Owen Elias to bring their vision to life. As the team put it: "England is an emerging wine region; we are not restricted by the rules and regulations that govern the Old World. At Artelium, we welcome this freedom and see each vintage as an opportunity to create pioneering styles of wine that will shape the future of the industry." That philosophy - honouring the skills and creativity of winemakers, giving them the tools and freedom they need to express themselves and craft unique vintage wines - runs through every bottle produced on the estate.

The name Artelium blends Art and -ium, the Latin suffix used to denote places where people congregate (such as a stadium or aquarium). In that sense, Artelium is the embodiment of a long-held vision to create a space for people to come together and enjoy wine and art in a beautiful natural setting. Throughout the year, the estate hosts a diverse programme of art exhibitions, expert-led wine talks, craft workshops and creative events that bring the Artelium community together - from vineyard sculpture trails and collaborations with local artists, to guided tastings with winemakers and seasonal feasts featuring local producers.

The Vineyards: Two Sussex Sites, 65 Acres and 125,000 Vines

Artelium farms two distinct vineyard sites in Sussex, planted with a range of classic and hybrid grape varieties. Across 65 acres, the team tends more than 125,000 vines, focusing on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris, alongside a pioneering block of PiWi (disease-resistant) varieties that underline the estate's commitment to innovation and sustainability. Both sites use a mix of Champagne clones (ideal for sparkling wines), Burgundian and Alsace clones (for still wines), allowing the winemakers to craft expressive wines that reflect the character of each terroir.

Madehurst Vineyard - Chalk Soils in the South Downs

The largest site is the Madehurst Vineyard, located within the South Downs National Park. This 45-acre chalk-rich site is home to more than 85,000 vines, planted in 2019 and 2020. It is also where the winery is located, producing its first vintage in 2022. The chalk terroir is ideal for crafting premium sparkling wines. The Madehurst winery (at Black Barns Farm, BN18 0NJ) is also the location of Artelium's Festive Winery Open Days.

Streat Vineyard - Clay Soils and Cellar Door

Located between Ditchling and Plumpton, the Streat Vineyard spans 20 acres of clay soil and hosts around 40,000 vines. This site mirrors the varietal and clonal diversity of Madehurst, offering a deliberate contrast in growing conditions. Streat is also home to Artelium's Cellar Door, open Thursday to Sunday year-round, where visitors can enjoy wine tastings, vineyard tours and exceptional hospitality while taking in panoramic views of the South Downs. Artelium has planted over 17,000 PiWi vines - including Souvignier Gris, Sauvignac, Rinot, Pinotin, Cabaret Noir and Divico - as resilient, hybrid varieties that offer natural disease resistance and the potential to craft distinctive, innovative wines.

The Wines: Sparkling, Still, Artefact and Spirits

Artelium's winemaking team crafts exceptional English wines from grapes grown across the South Downs. Every vintage captures a moment in time, shaped by the season's conditions and the enduring character of the Sussex terroir. Wines are available to order by the bottle, browse by collection or as curated cases, with free UK delivery on orders over £80.

Sparkling Wines

Artelium's sparkling wines are skilfully crafted by celebrated guest winemakers, using grapes grown across South England. Long lees ageing gives the wines finesse and rewarding complexity.

• Curators Cuvée 2019 - £38. An elegant traditional-method sparkling from 49% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay and 17% Meunier, five years on the lees; green orchard fruits and toasted brioche from celebrated winemaker Dermot Sugrue. The 2018 vintage was awarded 97 points by Wine Enthusiast, placing it in the top 0.5% of wines worldwide.
• Makers Rosé 2019 - £42. A bright, characterful Pinot Noir-led sparkling rosé (66% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay, 5% Meunier) with fresh cranberry and red currant, subtle spice and toasted brioche; 90 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025.
• X Vagabond Nature Series Cuvée 2019 - £45. A collaborative cuvée with London restaurant Vagabond, five years on the lees; the 2018 vintage won Gold at the IWSC 2025 with 95 points.
• Blank Canvas 2021 - £28. A young, fresh traditional-method sparkling made from Pinot Gris, offering pear, peach and soft citrus on the palate.

Still Wines

Artelium's single-vintage still wines are crafted by the estate's skilled winemaking team, made using grapes grown in the East and West Sussex vineyards.

• Chardonnay 2023 - £25. A multi-layered Chardonnay with orchard fruit, citrus zest and beeswax; 90 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025.
• Pinot Gris 2023 - £25. Notes of pear and fresh pollen with a medium-bodied, creamy texture; 92 points from Wine Enthusiast.
• Rosé 2023 - £25. A precise, elegant still rosé led by Meunier (80%) with Pinot Noir (20%); floral nose, juicy cranberry and strawberries-and-cream on the palate.

The Artefact Collection

The Artefact collection is a unique range of small-batch artisan wines, made only in the finest years and produced in limited volumes. It is a playground of experimentation, celebrating the ingenuity of the winemakers, and each Artefact wine is adorned with a new commissioned artwork from a contemporary artist that reflects its individual qualities. Once a limited-release has sold and been enjoyed, the original art remains on the estate as a permanent reminder - an Artefact - of the wine.

• Artefact #10 - Lil' Dizzy - £28. Sparkling rosé of Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a splash of Divico; 500 bottles produced; label by The Baron Gilvan.
• Artefact #11 - Maiden Harvest Pinot Gris - £36. First harvest from Madehurst in 2022, aged in a single puncheon for ten months; 550 bottles; label by Rosie Mortimer.
• Artefact #12 - Maiden Harvest Chardonnay - £36. The very first still Chardonnay from Madehurst; 550 bottles; label by Rosie Mortimer.
• Artefact #7 - Motley Wild - £30. Wild-ferment white from equal parts Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Gris.
• Artefact #8 - Skinny Gris - £30. A characterful dry orange rosé with bright acidity and crunchy tannins.
• Artefact Duo - #11 & #12 - from £72. A curated duo of the latest two releases, ideal for collecting the set.

Curated Cases and Gifts

Artelium offers a wide range of curated cases for gifting, dinner parties and discovery. Highlights include The Summer Duo (£63), The Rosé Duo (£67), The Wakehurst Trio (£95) and the standout Summer Case (£190), a six-bottle selection with complimentary delivery. The Makers Experience (£90) pairs a bottle of Makers Rosé 2019 with a Vineyard Tour & Tasting Voucher for the perfect experience-led gift.

Collaborative Spirits

Following the 2020 harvest, Dermot Sugrue created a base wine from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier using the off-cuts of the juice destined for the wines, which was skilfully distilled by Chris Toller at Henstone Distillery to craft Artelium's Twenty Twenty English grape spirit. This spirit forms the foundation of the Twenty Twenty Collaborators range, including a barrel-aged Vermouth Noir (£25, 50cl) and a Dry Gin (£30, 50cl) - both available as a Collaborative Spirit Duo for £55.

The Artelium Collective: A Wine Club for English Wine Lovers

The Artelium Collective is a thoughtfully curated English wine membership - a community of wine lovers brought together by a passion for English wine. Members enjoy exclusive benefits, events and hand-selected cases delivered to their door.

• The Artelium Club - Flexible twice-yearly subscription: two curated cases of six bottles each (March and September), 10% off all additional wine purchases, 10% off food & drink onsite, complimentary UK delivery, customisable cases and the option to cancel anytime.
• The Artelium Collective - Four curated cases per year (March, June, September, December), 15% off additional wine purchases, 10% off food & drink, exclusive member events, the Annual Summer BBQ & Christmas Tasting, a Public Tour & Tasting for four, complimentary UK delivery, customisable cases and flexible payment options. Listed in the shop at £600.
• The Collective Reserve - The premium tier with elevated access and private experiences: six curated cases per year (March - 6 bottles; June - 12 bottles; September - 6 bottles; December - 12 bottles), a welcome gift of a bottle of Curators Cuvée and an Artelium bottle stopper, 15% off additional wine purchases, 10% off food & drink, premium member events, Summer BBQ & Christmas Tasting, a Private Tour & Tasting for six, and complimentary UK delivery. Listed at £1,100 per year.

Wine club enquiries can be directed to hello@artelium.com.

Tours and Tastings: Step into the World of Contemporary English Wine

Artelium's public Vineyard Tours and Tastings run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the estate. Over the course of approximately an hour and a half, guests step into the vibrant world of contemporary English wine with one of the estate's knowledgeable hosts. The experience begins among the vines, with the host sharing the story of English viticulture, the rhythm of the growing cycle, and how Artelium is helping shape its future - pausing along the way to admire one of the striking art installations in the sculpture trail.

The experience continues in the chic tasting room, the perfect setting to savour three of Artelium's exceptional still and sparkling wines, while the host guides guests through the winemaking techniques and Sussex grapes that make the wines unique. Tours do not include food, but guests are warmly invited to extend their visit with a leisurely lunch in the tasting room and restaurant, where hearty seasonal dishes offer a delicious complement to the day. For those without a designated driver, Plumpton Train Station is less than a 30-minute walk across the fields.

Vouchers for a Tour & Tasting for Two are available from £60 and make an ideal gift. Bookings can be made online, and private tours can be arranged via info@artelium.com. The estate is a working farm and tours involve a walk over what can be very muddy ground, so suitable footwear is recommended; well-behaved dogs on a lead and children (who won't take part in the tasting) are welcome.

Artelium Kitchen: Seasonal Food & Wine in Sussex

Open Thursday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, the Artelium Kitchen serves vibrant, seasonal plates rooted in the best of Sussex produce. The seasonal menu features dishes like grilled meats, fresh seafood and homegrown veg - a mixture of small and large plates made for communal dining and lively conversation, perfectly paired with the estate's wines. Guests can while away a sun-kissed afternoon on the terrace overlooking the vines, enjoy flame-grilled flavours at the much-loved Fire & Wine summer BBQs, or spend golden hour savouring seasonal flavours with a glass of Curators Cuvée in hand.

Kitchen Opening Hours

• Thursday: 12:00 - 15:30
• Friday: 12:00 - 15:30 and 18:30 - 19:30
• Saturday: 12:00 - 19:30 (apart from Tasting Menus, when the kitchen closes from 15:30)
• Sunday: 12:00 - 15:30

Reservations are recommended, especially for lunch - spaces are limited in the cosy, intimate restaurant. The current menu is available as a downloadable PDF.

What's On: Events & Experiences at Artelium

Alongside the regular Thursday-to-Sunday menus and tours, Artelium collaborates with like-minded makers to bring a rolling programme of events. From creative workshops and art exhibitions to food events and wine walks, there is always something to discover on the estate.

Fire & Wine / Fire & Vine Fridays

Throughout the summer, the estate hosts its much-loved Friday night feasts from 18:30 to 22:00:

• Fire & Vine - Friday 7 August 2026: a feasting BBQ straight from the fire, followed by an evening vineyard walk and a tasting around the fire pit, led by founders Julie & Mark.
• Fire & Wine - Friday 14 August 2026: a two-course meal served alongside crackling fire-pits, with sharing-style small plates and large plates of barbecued meat or homegrown vegetables.
• Fire & Wine - Friday 21 August 2026
• Fire & Wine - Friday 28 August 2026
• Fire & Vine - Friday 4 September 2026

The Friday night format has run throughout the 2026 summer, with previous events including Fire & Wine evenings on 1, 15, 22 and 29 May; 5, 12 and 26 June; 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 July; and Fire & Vine evenings on 8 May, 5 June and 3 July.

Other Recent and Seasonal Events

• Wine Walk: Henry Moore Edition (Friday 17 July 2026, 18:00 - 21:00 at Kew Wakehurst): an after-hours wine walk through Wakehurst's most stunning landscapes and iconic sculptures, in partnership with Artelium.
• Stone, Wood, Metal Studio Safari (Saturday 27 June 2026, 10:00 - 17:00): an immersive small-group experience taking guests into the working studios of some of the region's most talented craftspeople, run by The Makers Directory.
• Sofar Sounds (Saturday 23 May 2026, 18:00 - 21:00): an intimate evening of live music from emerging artists on the vineyard terrace.
• Vine and Vinyasa (Thursday 16 April 2026): yoga among the vines followed by a two-course seasonal lunch and a glass of Artelium wine.
• Easter Sunday Lunch (Sunday 5 April 2026): a classic Sussex Sunday roast with perfectly paired Artelium wines.
• Wine-Paired Tasting Menus on 28 March, 31 January, 14 February (Valentines), and 20 December 2025 (Christmas): six courses paired with five Artelium wines.
• Mother's Day Lunch (Sunday 15 March 2026).
• Spring Makers' Market (Saturday 7 March 2026, 10:00 - 16:00) with complimentary wine tastings.
• Seafood & Sparkling Evening (Friday 27 February 2026).
• Hand Printed Card Workshop (Thursday 12 February 2026) and Christmas Lino-Printed Gift Wrapping Workshop (Tuesday 16 December 2025).
• Festive Winery Open Days (Saturday 13 December 2025) at the Madehurst winery (Black Barns Farm, BN18 0NJ): the first time Artelium opened its Madehurst winery for winter, with complimentary tastings, mini tours and meet-the-winemaker sessions.
• Complimentary Wine Tastings run most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 and 15:00, lasting 30 - 45 minutes.

Private Events, Celebrations and Corporate Hire

From corporate away days to birthday gatherings, Artelium's East Sussex vineyard is a beautiful venue for a memorable private event. With a sunny Terrace and a chic Barn, the estate can host groups of all shapes and sizes, from private spaces to full venue hire. The team can also pull together bespoke menus and arrange private vineyard tours and wine tastings. With excellent train links to London and less than a 30-minute drive from Brighton, the estate is a great location for corporate events, and Artelium is available for private hire on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the week and can manage exclusive areas for events on other days. For all private-event enquiries, email info@artelium.com or call 01273 569155.

Art at Artelium: Sculpture, Residencies and Artefact Labels

Art has been part of Artelium's identity from day one. The estate collaborates with artists and makers to present contemporary exhibitions, a growing sculpture garden, label collaborations and makers' markets - all set against the stunning South Downs landscape.

The Sculpture Garden

Artelium is home to a growing collection of large-scale outdoor sculptures, each specially commissioned as part of an Artefact collaboration and created in response to a specific Artefact wine. Current installations include:

• Wood, Earth Hoop by Walter Bailey (Artefact #6), below the lower terrace.
• Futures, Past by Will Nash (Artefact #4 & #5), at the end of the first field, en route to the first vineyard.
• Surface, Edge, Shadow by Rosie Mortimer (Artefact #11 & #12), positioned on either side of the path leading towards the first vineyard.

Artist in Residence - Judith Alder

Sussex-based artist Judith Alder works across a range of media, exploring how ideas and materials grow and evolve over time. A long-standing collaborator with Artelium, she has contributed to multiple exhibitions over the years and is the artist behind the labels for the core still wine range. Her work also forms an important part of the estate's permanent collection, with pieces on view in the tasting room. Selected works are available to purchase through the online Art shop, including String Theory (and other things I don't understand) Scaffold Black at £850 and Entangled Life: Small Field at £550. Artwork bought online is collection only from Artelium Wine Estate or from Judith's Sussex studio.

The Artefact Prize and Makers' Markets

Artelium has collaborated with five contemporary artists to date, with its most recent partnership emerging from The Artefact Prize, developed in collaboration with The Sussex Contemporary. This initiative awards the design of an upcoming Artefact wine to an artist selected from the annual Sussex Open Call exhibition. Artefacts #11 and #12 were created by Rosie Mortimer following the first year of this partnership, and Artefact #13 will be designed by the 2025 prize winner, Katharine Rabson Stark.

Artelium also hosts two seasonal Makers' Markets each year - one in early spring and a Christmas edition at the start of the festive season - bringing together a carefully curated community of makers, producers and artisans from across Sussex.

Past Exhibitions and Stone-Carving Workshops

The estate hosts exhibitions across the grounds and in the Barn, often celebrating recent Artefact collaborations, with an archive of past exhibitions. Situated in the barn, the Skelton Workshops offer stone sculpture and letter-carving courses in the tradition of acclaimed sculptor John Skelton.

Trade & International

Artelium works with a network of trusted distributors who share the estate's values and represent its wines around the world. In the USA, wines are available through Bubbles of Britain; in Europe, customers can order via Cellar Me; in Norway, they are listed at Vinmonopolet; and in South Africa, wines are available through sister estate Rickety Bridge in Franschhoek. Trade enquiries - covering case-size flexibility, POS packs, image galleries, staff tasting sessions and trade pricing - are welcomed by the trade team.

Plan Your Visit: Getting to Artelium

The Artelium Cellar Door is at Streat Lane, Streat, Sussex BN6 8SA (What Three Words: middle.dumplings.tables). Less than a 30-minute walk from Plumpton Train Station across fields with beautiful views of the South Downs, the estate is well served by train and is easy to reach without a car.

• By train: Direct services from London Victoria and Brighton run to Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath, both with taxi ranks. Burgess Hill Station Taxis can be reached on 01444 410410.
• On foot: Plumpton station is less than 30 minutes' walk through the fields (see walking directions).
• By horse: Artelium is a former horse livery, with plenty of spots to tie up.
• By car: Due to narrow roads, please enter Streat Lane via St Helena Lane to the north of Streat; if coming any distance, turn off the A23 by Hickstead. View directions on Google Maps.
• By taxi: Pre-booking is important in this rural location. Uber drivers won't pick up from the estate, but local companies include Burgess Hill/Plumpton Station Taxis (01444 410410), Smith Taxi (01444 300800), HP Taxis (01444 672300), Haywards Heath Cabs (01444 304304), Brighton Taxis (01273 204060) and Lewes taxis.

Estate Opening Times

• Monday: By appointment
• Tuesday - Wednesday: 12:00 - 16:00 (shop only)
• Thursday: 12:00 - 17:00
• Friday: 12:00 - 22:00
• Saturday: 12:00 - 21:00
• Sunday: 12:00 - 18:00

Wine Walks

Artelium encourages guests to base themselves at the estate and explore the Sussex Winelands on the footpaths and bridleways surrounding the property, before finishing with a glass or two and a bite to eat. Walking guides include 5 Springtime Walks in Sussex, Spring Flowers at Artelium and Winter Walks in Sussex: Scenic Routes Around Artelium Wine Estate.

Accommodation Nearby

For guests who want to make a weekend of their visit, Artelium has curated a selection of local accommodation - from boutique hotels to countryside inns - all within easy reach:

• Gallops Cottage, Streat - a beautifully restored 16th-century farmhouse, ~5 minutes by car.
• The Jolly Sportsman, East Chiltington - country pub with four elegant rooms, ~5 minutes by car.
• Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Cuckfield - Elizabethan manor with spa, ~25 minutes by car.
• Blackberry Wood, Streat - quirky glamping at the foot of the South Downs, ~10 minutes by car.
• South Lodge Hotel & Spa, Lower Beeding - five-star country house hotel, ~25 minutes by car.
• The Tack Barn at Upper Lodge, near Lewes - ~30 minutes by car.
• The Bull, Ditchling - village pub with rooms, ~10 minutes by car.
• Gravetye Manor, West Hoathly - Michelin-starred country house hotel, ~35 minutes by car.

Awards, Press and Recognition

Artelium's quality on the international stage has been recognised by some of the most respected names in wine and luxury. Highlights include:

• Top 10 Wineries of Great Britain 2026 by The Drinks Business (July 2026), climbing 11 places from 21st to 10th in The Real Review's blind tasting.
• Walpole Brands of Tomorrow 2026, naming Artelium among Britain's most promising luxury brands.
• 97 Points from Wine Enthusiast for the Curators Cuvée 2018, placing the wine in the top 0.5% of wines worldwide.
• Gold at IWSC 2025 (95 points) for the Vagabond Nature Series Cuvée 2018.
• 90 Points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 for both Makers Rosé 2019 and Chardonnay 2023.
• Featured in Sussex Life, Woman & Home, Dagens Næringsliv ("The Rising Star of English Wine") and Sussex Living.

Sustainability

From nurturing healthy vineyard ecosystems to encouraging biodiversity across the estate, sustainability is central to the way Artelium farms, grows and produces its wines. The estate has planted more than 17,000 PiWi vines and works in partnership with Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden in Sussex, sharing a commitment to protecting biodiversity and working with the natural environment.