Bodegas Bentomiz in Sayalonga is planning to celebrate Christmas in style with live music and sumptuous dining … and one or two glasses along the way … Every winery has its own personality and Bodegas Bentomiz, the business that Dutch owners Clara and André began as a hobby, is distinguished by a mixture of hedonism, elegance and the capacity to create a perfect environment for the enjoyment of gastronomy and culture. Their beautiful building is typical of their approach – it stands out as unusual; it is stylish and modern, but they chose to clad the outside in a slate that looks like the local bedrock, so that it blends in perfectly with its environment. The same could be said of Clara and André! In the last year, as the reputation of their wonderful wine-centred restaurant has grown (see their TripAdvisor reviews and you will see that the superlatives are deserved), they have begun to venture into events, from private birthday parties to full-blown concerts with the most wonderful, vibrant music played as the sun went down at concerts in July and September. Hot summer nights, transported by Daniel Casares’ emotive flamenco guitar! November seems a long way from the glory days of summer. The approach of winter – even down here by the Mediterranean – suggests something cosier and more intimate might be the ticket for Christmas time. Juan Quintanilla, the Bodegas’ head chef (from restaurant Sollun in Nerja), and André are cooking up something special for the festive season – top flight gastronomy to delight all the senses and, as always, pair perfectly with the Ariyanas wine. The bodega will be open on for a splendid gourmet dinner on Christmas Eve – La Noche Buena – and again for a delicious lunch on Christmas Day itself. “We will have a special lunch menu for the Christmas week too”, André explained, “But the music and the 7-course special menu will be offered only for the 24th, the 25th … and also the 1st – New Year’s Day.” Oh yes, the music, bringing 2017 in with a swing! “A good performance of live music is such an enriching experience,” explained Clara, “It makes an occasion vividly memorable. We have done it before – we had a performance of drumming at our inauguration – that was spontaneous! – and then two cellists, Cesar Jimenez and his daughter played in the evening. Since then we’ve even had flamenco dancing within our wine salon – the musicians brought their own floor boards to lay a mini-stage for the dancers to stamp on! We plan to make our Christmas concerts equally memorable – if not more so!” Bentomiz continue to surprise their visitors. I am looking forward to it; these Christmas specials are sure to be exciting events. Don’t forget to make your reservation and jazz up your Christmas!
