Its great to see so many tourists enjoying Marlborough at this time of the year. The Rugby World Cup has certainly brought the tourists to Marlborough and we have enjoyed the company of the visiting Russian team that have been based in Blenheim.
In the backgound of course is the new season wine releases and I look forward to getting out in the next few weeks to sample a few old favourites and seek out what’s new for the coming season. Its a hard job but someones got to do it so that guests at Antria Lodge can get the best advice when either exploring the vineyards themselves or taking one of the wine tours offered by Antria.
The Season Begins
September 18th, 2011Bikes come to Antria
September 18th, 2011With the beginning of summer upon us we decided to get a couple of bikes for guests at Antria Lodge to use if they want to explore the vineyards while enjoying the fresh air. Antria Lodge is very central to the vineyards which makes the experience all the more enjoyable. We will happily work out a route for you to match your ability or sense of adventure. As we regiularly cycle the area we know the enjoyment that comes with getting out there and enjoying the ride. We are also happy to offer a drop off to a point so that guests can cycle back to Antria if you do not want to do the full circuit. The bikes are new and will bring back fond memories and of course if you get too tired we can always come and get you.
Antria makes top 10 again
May 30th, 2011We were delighted to find out that guests from the US booked by New Zealand Travel Inc once again voted Antria Lodge in the top 10 boutique accommodation. We are very pleased to have been voted in the number 6 spot for the second year running. We have made a commitment to our guests to make their stay a very special time and it is great to get this positive feedback. NZ Travel Inc has been a good supporter of Antria and we look forward to hosting more guets in the coming season. We are conscious that for many of our overesas guests their money is not going as far as it used to when visiting our beautiful country so it is important as hosts we make every moment count.
What our guests are telling us about dinner
May 23rd, 2011Evening dining is something all guests at Antria Lodge seem to enjoy from the casual to the formal Marlborough has it all.
Gibbs Resturant a favourite with guest burnt down early in February witch was a great loss to the dining options that our guests could enjoy. I;m sure Gibbs will be up and running next summer. In the mean time I spoke to Chris the chef at Moa and it seems he is enjoying having a summer break after more than 10 years of working all summer. We look forward to Gibbs return.
So where have guests at Antria Lodge been going.
Many have enjoyed the relaxed informality of Dodson’s ( Ye Olde Malthouse). With chef Jude been given charge of the the kitchen and Ted the new owner keen to see some new dishes on the menu it has worked our really well. My favourite would have to be th Blue Cheese Sausage
Evening Dining
May 23rd, 2011A stay at Antria Boutique Lodge would not be complete without a dinner at one of the local restuarants. Over the summer we get to know what people like and what they don’t. For evening dining this summer we lost Gibb’s, Gibb’s had been a favourite with guests for over 10 years but unfortunately the restuarant burnt down in February. Herzogs again proved a hit with those wanting that special evening but interesting enough this year Ye Olde Ale House or the Dodson to the locals proved popular. This place provides guests the opportunity to enjoy what I like to call Pub Quisine. My favourite here is the Blue Cheese sausages which for those guests that tried them they were a hit. While Roccos is a little dated and tied now it is still the place for good honest Italian fare. The resturants at D’urvilles Hotel and the Vintners Hotel were also hits with guests this summer. As always we offered our guests a complimentary drop off to the resturant of choice. One thing is for sure there is choice to suit all occasions and budgets.
Omaka Classic Fighters Air Show
May 23rd, 2011Every second Easter Blenheim plays host to the Classic Fighters Air Show. This is truely an international event. Antria Boutique Lodge was again booked out for this event, one couple on their fourth stay having come from Melbourne for the event. This year we were invited to a Hospitality Tent This was a great spot to enjoy the show. One of the unique features of the show is how close you get to the action. No need for binoclars the action is right there.
At the show you find ground displays showing a slice of life for those envolved in WWW1 and 2 while in the air you have one of the best displays of WWW1 planes you will see anywhere in the world.
If you want to come to Blenheim at this time it pays to organised if you want the pick of accommodation. Antria Boutique Lodge was booked out 9 months before Easter.
Antria makes top 10 again
May 23rd, 2011For the second year in a row Antria Boutique Lodge has been voted in the top 10 Boutique Accommodation by the guests of a major US inbound Tour opertor. NZ Travel Inc is widely recognised as the leading travel company to use when visiting New Zealand from the United States. Endorsement by this decerning group of travellers is testament to the service offerd to guests when they stay at Antria Boutique Lodge. These guests commonly combine their stay with a personalised Malborough Wine Tour, we are very proud to provide the complete service to our guests and look forward to hosting all of our US guests in the coming season.
What our guests are telling us about lunch
May 5th, 2011With the end of the season closing in on us it seems like a good time to tell new guests what the current guest have been saying when they have dined out this summer, Because Antria Lodge is a Bed and Breakfast guests have the opportunity at lunch to experience some of the local cuisine. On wine tours we do have some clear favourites coming to the fore.
La Varanda this year has offered a variery of specilaty platters. The restuarant is situated on the George Michal vineyard or George Michael as I tend to call it. Rudi the chef presents a wonderful selection of platters and the setting is what you would expect when dining in a vineyard. Great to sit outside and enjoy the sun which I had the opportunity to do a few times this summer with a glass or two of Vigonaier.
Herzogs while still a great place for dinner has been a favourite this year for lunch. You get the attention that you expect and the food is supperb,a big favourite is the wienerschnitzel which Kathrune always has and never seems to have anything left for me to taste, My weakness is the rasbery trival (also not shared)
Wairau River has also been a favourite for relaxed outdoor dining here it is the Thai Lamb salad for me but everthing else looks great as well and it’s great to sit outside and enjoy the summer
For those wanting to sit by the water the Slip Inn at the Havelock marina has been a favourite for frsh fish and of course green lip musels. It’s worth the drive and a number of guests have driven to Picton and then on to Havelock along the Queen Charlotte Drive and then back tp Blenheim.
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The Amazing Toot
January 20th, 2011Over the summer many guests have had the opportunity to sit outside in front of “Little Toot”.Our outdoor fire. Toot provides instant heat in the evening and allows guest to enjoy more of the day. It does have a tendancy to add wine consumption and convesations can go well into the night.Being portable and on wheels it can be moved easily while it is on full throttle. Toot is an invention of Kathrynes brother and has already seen one guest have one exported to Chicargo. They are made to order. If you have the opportunity to sit and enjoy we are only to happy to fire Toot up.![IMG_0409[1]](http://www.antria.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_04091.jpg "IMG_0409[1]")
Auntsfield came to Visit
October 18th, 2010Its the start of the Summer season and time to look at the wine Guests will be offered when they stay at Antria lodge. This is a diffiicult task as the area is full of wonderful wine just ready to be enjoyed. Last year we offered guests the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc from Auntsfield and this 2010 vintage will be on offer this season. Luke Cowley the wine maker came to visit with the lastest vintage. It’s the distinctive style of Auntsfield’s Sauvignon Blanc that remains in the current vintage and we hope our guests over the summer will enjoy this and will take the opportunity to visit the Cellar Door and sample the Reserve Sav and the Chardonay and Pinot Noir.
Auntsfield is the site of the oldest vineyard in Marlborough and a visit to the original cellar room is a must for those that enjoy not only the taste of good wine but an opportunity to experience a taste of history.
