A picturesque wine estate with sweeping views of the South Downs is a hidden gem.
The vineyards at Artelium Wine Estate in Streat Lane, Hassocks, were first planted by founders Julie Bretland and Mark Collins in 2018.
The estate, which has its own tasting room, restaurant and al fresco terrace, opened its doors to the public in 2021, making it a relatively new winery.
However, a visit to Artelium is authentic and enlightening.
We made a lunchtime visit to the estate, which is just a short taxi ride from Burgess Hill Station.
On arrival, we were greeted by the gorgeous views over the Sussex countryside, which, coupled with favourable weather, made us feel as though we were transported to the south of France.
Part of the vineyard at Artelium(Image: The Argus)
We were looked after by Hannah, who took us and a small group on a tour of the estate.
Hannah talked us through the grape varieties that can be found within the vineyard, such as chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier and pinot gris.
She said: “The reason we planted those varieties is they produce sparkling wines but they also work really well for still wine production.
“One of Mark and Julie’s ambitions was to really drive the quality level in still wine production.”
We explored the maze of vines full of luscious and sweet grapes, trying a couple of chardonnays and pinot noirs, while Hannah talked us through the process of growing and harvesting them.
She explained that vineyards are picking their grapes earlier and earlier each year, with Artelium getting ready to harvest mid to late September this year.
Rows of the vines(Image: The Argus)
We then moved onto the tasting room, where we got to try some of Artelium’s wine range.
We started off with a 2018 Blanc de Blancs, described as “precise” and “silky-smooth” with notes of lemon citrus, cantaloupe melon and bright orchard fruit.
The wine, made with 98 per cent chardonnay and 2 per cent pinot meunier, is elegant and sparkling with a creamy mousse, a perfect pairing with a seafood dish.
Next up was the 2023 pinot gris, with notes of pear, blossom and tropical fruit.
This white wine is crisp and refreshing, made with 100 per cent pinot gris grapes.
Tasting the pinot gris(Image: The Argus)
To finish, we tried the gorgeous cabaret noir, which was so indulgent we went home with two bottles.
This red contains notes of black cherries, plums, cocoa beans, cedar and paprika – the perfect tipple as we move into the colder months.
After the tasting, it was time for a spot of lunch on the estate’s beautiful terrace, which was enjoyed while looking out over the South Downs.
The terrace at Artelium(Image: The Argus)
We were choosing from the Sunday feasting menu, with Sussex pork loin, Trenchmore Sussex wagyu brisket and barbecue aubergine on offer.
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To start, we had the Padron peppers with saffron dressing, mackerel ceviche with garden raspberries and chicken liver parfait with malted soda bread – all of which were incredibly fresh and flavourful.
We then went for the pork loin, accompanied by crackling and plum sauce, which was rich and lean, with the sauce adding a sweet and tangy dimension.
The pork loin and waygu brisket with sides(Image: The Argus)
We also tried the wagyu brisket which was tender and melted in the mouth, while the horseradish was punchy.
The main dishes were accompanied by mouth-wateringly crispy roast potatoes, roast carrots with parsley and raspberry vinaigrette, watercress salad, garden chard and gravy.
To finish, we ordered the Basque cheesecake with garden berries and the Brighton blue with membrillo and melba toast.
The cheesecake was rich and decadent, while the cheese was delightfully creamy.
The blue cheese and Basque cheesecake(Image: The Argus)
The estate offers a seasonal menu, which has recently changed to “harvest feasting”.
Artelium Wine Estate is certainly a hidden gem, nestled in the stunning South Downs landscape.
The tour of the estate was informative and intriguing, covering the history of the estate and its founders, as well as a comprehensive explanation of wine making in general.
It was fascinating to hear about Artelium’s range of wines and how they were produced, as well as what’s to come for the budding vineyard.
A trip to this wine estate makes for an incredibly pleasant and peaceful afternoon, accompanied by delectable wine and delicious food.
Dining and Cooking