Last summer saw a wonderful series of open air concerts taking place at Bodegas Bentomiz.
This is the winery just off the Sayalonga-Cómpeta road. There is a little sign at the foot of the track and, though the turn coming from the coast is rather sharp, within 300 metres you find a roomy carpark and a magnificent modern building clad in slate, with a broad forecourt beside it. Here they built a stage in the shade of the pines for the artists, surrounded by chairs for the audience, who enjoyed performances by flamenco dancers, a classical pianist, superb jazz-flamenco fusion and the women's quartet ¡ELLAS!, whose brilliant lively music had people up and dancing.
It being a winery there was, of course, plenty of wine to be had. They make the exquisite Ariyanas wines, a prize-winning range served in Michelin starred restaurants all over Europe. What's more, in their beautiful wine-salon, whose balcony looked the stage on the forecourt below, they served freshly made gourmet tapas from six til midnight. There were lamb chops, fish rolls, baby potatoes in harissa sauce, carrillada with sweet potatoes, 'ajo blanco' with apple and grape, 'pisto' with quail's egg … Stop! Stop! … my mouth is watering!
The good news is that Bodegas Bentomiz are running the 'Mountain Wine & Music' events again this year. The events open with the extraordinarily talented Daniel Casares. Casares is a flamenco guitarrist, who is The superb saxophonist, Ernesto Aurignac, will perform in a duo with pianist José Carra. Ernesto is probably best known for his 'Charlie Parker with Strings' performances with orchestras around Spain, from Gran Canaria to Málaga. He and his companion play popular and classic jazz that will fill the night with a vibrant, delightful sound.
In July there will be classical music with QuartzTeto. They are a string quartet from Sevilleand say that their name combines the mineral quarts with the musical group 'quartet' because quartz recalls the beauty and transparency of the best music.
As things are hotting up at the very end of July there will be a Noche de Flamenco, showcasing the extraordinary passion and drama of this most Spanish of art forms. Then at the end of August Thomas Kaurich returns to take his seat at a Steinway Grand Piano brought in from Granada to give us the passion and virtuosity of the great romantic composers!
Finally, all those who got to see ELLAS last year will be delighted to know they are back to close the series once again. These four women perform a wonderful tribute to the great divas of jazz, soul and pop and will surely have guests dancing the night away once again.
A summer of music with food and wine in one of the most beautiful places in Málaga! What could be better?
A word of warning, though – book your tickets ahead, or they might sell out. Contact Bodegas Bentomiz at reservas@bodegasbentomiz.com or call André on 658 845 286.
