Devoted in equal parts to wine, art, and nature, Artelium Wine Estate is the brainchild of Mark Collins and Julie Bretland. Previously both working in the tech industry, they left their careers to pursue a more hedonistic lifestyle. Unable to commit to just one of their three great passions, they decided to combine them—thus, Artelium was born, a space for people to come together and enjoy wine and art in a beautiful natural setting.

Set amidst the stunning Sussex Downs, Artelium cultivates 65 hectares of impeccably managed, estate-grown grapes. Their vineyards are planted with classic varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, alongside experimental plots of lesser-known varieties, including PIWIs—new fungus-resistant grape varieties that demonstrate remarkable resilience against vine diseases. Cabaret Noir is one of these PIWI varieties and is marked by its ability to achieve phenolic ripeness, even in cooler, more difficult years. With vineyards in both East and West Sussex, Artelium benefits from a diverse range of soils, including clay and chalk. Surrounded by woodland, the vines are naturally sheltered from the strong Sussex winds and flourish in a rich, biodiverse environment. The temperate maritime climate, with cool winters and warm summers, allows the fruit to ripen beautifully while preserving that vital acidity. These conditions, coupled with meticulous vineyard management and a rigorous pruning regime, provide the ideal foundation for producing award-winning wines.

Since their inception in 2014, Artelium has enjoyed considerable success. With a dedicated team and consultant winemaker, Owen Elias, they have secured two gold medals in the Decanter World Wine Awards for their sparkling wines, both receiving an impressive 95 points. Their Artefact collection is also a unique offering from Artelium—small-batch bottlings made only in the finest years and produced in very limited volumes. Each Artefact wine is labelled with a newly commissioned piece from a contemporary artist that reflects the wine’s individual qualities.

When the opportunity arose to visit the estate, meet Mark and Julie, and potentially represent a winery so close to home, we leapt at the chance. Upon tasting the wines, we were utterly captivated by their quality and elegance. These are serious wines of depth and complexity, exhibiting impeccable balance and the signature acidity characteristic of this terroir. We are delighted to welcome Artelium to our portfolio, representing their premium offerings in London and across the UK.