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A day at Artelium: Where art and food meets wine in the Sussex Downs

11.06.25

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3 min read

Ahead of English Wine Week, we discovered why this isn't your typical vineyard visit

"We have two ETOs at home," Julie Bretland tells us when we first meet. It's the kind of chat that gets our attention, with someone who clearly understands great wine. As co-founder of Artelium (with her husband Mark Collins), her enthusiasm for what they're creating in the Sussex countryside is infectious. Within minutes of our conversation, we're intrigued enough to make the journey and see for ourselves.

Artelium is a short walk from Plumpton Station (55 minutes on the train from London), with footpaths and bridleways threading from the station to the vineyard. If you're planning to properly explore the incredible food and award-winning wines, we suggest leaving the car behind.

Thursday late-morning, and the terrace has that perfect unhurried energy we rarely find. For lunch, walkers pause mid-ramble for a bite, a young couple share a glass while their little one naps in the pram. This is great wine without pretence—honest, relaxed, genuinely welcoming.

There's no pomp here, just delicious food from chef Michael Notman-Watt (MasterChef: The Professionals finalist - above with the ETO 750 Graphite Satin). And great wine, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for hours. The terrace wraps around the garden kitchen, designed for exactly this: people gathering, sharing, discovering.

Follow the path from the terrace and sculptures emerge through the vines—contemporary pieces that hint at something different happening here. This is where you start to understand Julie and Mark’s (above with the ETO 750 Gold Mirror) vision: art and wine as natural companions, each enhancing the other.

Look closely at the trellis tags and you'll spot Mark's tribute to Joy Division. Because why shouldn't great wine have a soundtrack?

Beyond the classic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Artelium are experimenting with PiWi varieties—over 10,000 disease-resistant vines including Souvignier Gris and Divico. It's winemaking for the future, pushing boundaries while the rest of the industry catches up.

In his corner kitchen cabin, Michael creates daily magic from what Sussex offers. We devoured BBQ leeks with romesco and hazelnuts alongside Artelium Chardonnay (served from the ETO 750 Gold Mirror) and Trenchmore Sussex Wagyu beef tartare scooped up with homemade crisps with their Pinot Noir.

But it was the Sussex pak choi with Slipcote and hot honey that stopped us mid-conversation. Paired with South Coast lemon sole, green olive and basil—this is what happens when a chef truly understands both his ingredients and his wines.

While chatting with Julie and Mark over a glass of their Artefact #9 – Cabaret Noir – its evident that they are really doing it differently. They built Artelium as "a place to congregate"—the Latin ium in their name says it all. As it does just that.

The rotating art exhibitions, maker markets showcasing local craftspeople, wine labels designed by artists, wine talks with wine writers and experts, it's this layering that makes Artelium compelling. England's wine scene isn't bound by Old World rules, and here that freedom extends beyond the cellar into every corner of our experience.

With English Wine Week starting next weekend why not make a visit to Artelium. A place where creativity and craftsmanship genuinely collide. Where every detail—from contemporary sculptures to daily-changing menus—exists because someone cares enough to make it different. Try Michael's seasonal menu, join Mark for a tour of the vines or just park yourself on the terrace and enjoy a glass.

Artelium is open Thursday-Sunday. Stop by for a glass or book ahead for Michael's tasting menus and check out their upcoming English Wine Week events.