With the approach of Easter the 2011/12 season has come to an end. At Antria Boutique Lodge it has been our busiest summer since we opened in 2000. We have again enjoyed people from all over the world who have come to Marlborough to enjoy all that the region has to offer. Most this summer stayed at least two nights which gives guest enough time to get a feel for Marlborough and want to come back. We have had a few guests stay 5 nights this year and they were able to do everything from horseback riding to sailing in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds in between the wine tasting and the local cuisine.
The US again provided the most guests followed by an increasing number of Australian’s. It is great when you can reflect on the season and honestly say you have enjoyed the company of all that have stayed and would be more than happy to do it all again next year. Here are some photos from the summer.
Summer season 2011-12
April 6th, 2012The end of daylight saving
March 31st, 2012Today was the last day of daylight saving in New Zealand What a great day it was too. Took the bike for a ride and Marlborough was certainly the place to be. It has been a patchy summer but the guest over the last few days have certainly had some great days, yesturday was great for eating outside at La Varanda, a favourite with guest staying at Antria Lodge.
Is this a happy Pig
March 10th, 2012Every guest to Antria Boutique Lodge this summer has been introduced to Kath and Kim – our not so small piglets. They enjoy a great time under the apple trees and will eat a lot of apples over the next couple of months. It was a great surprise when this photo was emailed to us by one recent visitor, could this pig be any happier?
Great news for evening dining
February 7th, 2012New Evening Dining Option
Wither Hills from Friday 10th February will now be open for evening dining.The restaurant will be open from 6pm Wednesday to Sunday and 7 days for lunches.The evening menu will be full a la carte and they also have a new summer lunch menu starting this week.
This is great news for guest of Antria Boutique Lodge that have been a a bit disappointed with the options for vineyard dining in the evening. Wither Hills is a great venue for lunch and would expect this high standard to flow through to the evening dining. Relatively close to Antria we will be happy to provide a complimentary drop off service.
Herzog Bistro
January 13th, 2012The perfect setting on a summers evening for the relaxed dining experience. This is the first summer that the Bistro has been open in the evening.Unfortunately this is the only option for vineyard dining in the evening in the area that is open 7 days a week. We feel the setting, and of course good company, will make up for any short comings with the food.
Cath and Kim arrive
December 16th, 2011Its with great excitement that we have a couple of new arrivals at Antria Boutique lodge. Cath and Kim arrived for the summer and we are sure they will like having their photos taken by guests over the coming months. It always great to get the piglets and while they will stay in their corner for a while they will be allowed out soon enough to play with William.Kate and Pippa (the lambs). Lambs Lucy and Amy will share the other paddock
Marlborough Farmers Market Kitchen
November 25th, 2011New to the Marlborough farmers market is the Farmers Market mobile kitchen that is able to do cooking demonstrations using produce available at the market on any given Sunday.This Sunday local celebrity chef Chris Fortune was in fine form bringing to life a simple Pasta dish with a young assistant from the crowd that had gathered to watch and learn.
The Farmers market is on every Sunday and is a great place to visit – to relax and talk to the local food produces in the area.
Of course you can do this at home
Antria wine offerings summer 2011/12
November 14th, 2011
Guests at Antria Boutique Lodge are always offered a glass of wine at the end of the day and we pride ourselves on offering to our guests only examples of the best available in the region. This year, like last year , we will be offering two very good examples. Auntsfield has been a favourite with guests not only when visiting the cellar door and more than just few bottles have managed to disappear over the summer. This is a single vineyard wine and has the following tasting notes:
“this intensely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc has fresh aromas of passionfruit and citrus integrated with ripe tropical fruit. The underlying minerality balances the generous palate weight and mouth filling texture. A complex wine with a long, lingering finish.”
Which basically means it is very nice to drink.
The other is from Clark Estate and the 2010 vintage won the Elite Gold at the Air New Zealand wine awards. All this means is that what we have known for some time has been found to be true by a number of very important wine judges.
Phil and Cathy are great hosts
October 6th, 2011Weather the last few days has turned to rain but still having a good time.
Phil and Cathy are great hosts. The BBQ they prepared for us was completely over the top. Could have been served at Matakauri Lodge !
From home made pates to lamb, eggplant, sausage, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, salad and more – all delicious.
And then as a topper they served us a beautiful pavlova with dessert wine for our anniversary (we love celebrating our anniversary the entire trip!).
Phil’s suggestions on where to go have all been spot on. We might not have seen many of them (or eaten in the best spots) without his guidance.
Certainly a big plus for anyone you might be sending here for the first time (like us).
New Chinese Resturant on offer
September 18th, 2011Great to have a new resturant to offer guests. Fans chinese resturant recently opened in Blenheim and have enjoyed eating authentic chinese food ever since we discovered it. My main problem with chinese food is that you never seem to be full after a meal. Not so at Fans, with an experienced chinese chef with 30 years experience in China this is the real thing and have not had such a good Chinese meal since dining at the Drum in Melbourne, this is a big asset for Blenheim and long may they continue. They have been on show at the Asian Food Court in the town square and have seen many a local and tourist enjoying the food. Look out for it when in Blenheim.
