From Rik Obiso, Attimo Winery:

Knowing how to give a toast at a business dinner or a special celebration is a skill. In the US, toasts are typically given at weddings, but around the world, toasting is not a rare event.  Some cultures will use just about anything as an excuse to toast.  In one of my favorite "toasting" countries, Georgia, the toastmaster is called a Tamada, and the role of the Tamada is an exquisite art form in itself. A Tamada must be a philosopher-poet, a wit and jokester, an orator and social commentator.  In Georgia, toasts are not simple declarations - they are expected to be speeches mixed with entertainment, spoken verse and a bit of wisdom. Georgian toasting follows a pattern of timing and there is a specific order to each of the toasting subjects given throughout the meal. 

Whether in Georgia or elsewhere, common rules apply when giving a toast.  For some insight, here are some simple tips to go by:

Timing:  Do not speak too long and never talk about yourself.  Remember you are making an offering to someone or something else.  Time your toast during the meal when you feel it is most appropriate.

Eyes:  Make eye contact with the person you are toasting (if applicable) and with everyone else in the room so that you create a feeling of warmth.  Be kind and gracious.

Be prepared:  Make sure you know what you want to say before you actually stand up and say it.  Be conscious to not say "you know," "like," "um," or "uh."

Confidence:   Stand up straight; speak slowly, clearly, and with conviction. Also, if there is drinking involved at your meal, do not drink too much before your toast. A sloshed toastmaster rarely gives a good toast.  Always articulate your words and speak with inflection to maintain interest and balance with your audience.

Glass:  Make sure your glass has wine in it before you begin and look around the room to make sure eveyone else does, too.  In many countries, it is an insult to toast with water, beer, or with an empty glass.  Raise your glass at the end of your toast.

Cheers!

(A bit of history:  The term "toast" comes from an Italian custom of adding burnt bread to wine to remove contaminants before serving to guests and to royalty.  The piece of toast gave its name to making this offering. Toast well and quickly, or all you will have is soggy bread.)

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For more tips and to find out more about wine toasting, we invite you to come by Attimo Winery in Christiansburg, Virginia.  Every Friday at 5:00 PM we offer a themed toast to all of our customers in attendance.  We are in the New River Valley and one of Virginia’s newest farm wineries; we offer a wide range of wines grown from our Virginia vineyards. We offer a Wine Club and Wine Moments and look forward to offering classes and seminars beginning this fall.  Our new Tasting Room is now open.

You're invited to read more from Melissa and Rik Obiso and Attimo Winery on Handshake 2.0, to follow @attimowinery on Twitter, and to "Like" Attimo Winery on Facebook.

Rik and Melissa Obiso of Attimo Winery are client columnists for Handshake 2.0. Attimo Winery is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

Melissa Obiso, co-founder of Attimo Winery, is an architect and heads Inkworks Architecture.  She designed Attimo Winery's tasting room which will celebrate its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 2:00 PM in Riner, Virginia.  While Melissa's portfolio includes new homes, additions and renovations, this was her first design for a winery tasting room. 

Handshake 2.0 asked Melissa Obiso:  "What did you learn from designing a wine tasting room?"

Melissa Obiso kindly answered:

Attimo Winery's tasting room was my first commercial experience since I started Inkworks in 1999. As Architect and Owner at the same time, I gained an amazing insight into the emotions and concerns that my clients are typically experiencing during construction.  I truly expect that this has already made me a better Architect, being able to better represent my clients and their best interests.  It also reinforced for me how much I love what I do.

More on the ribbon-cutting ceremony, grand opening and winery from Attimo Winery:

The Attimo Winery Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, co-sponsored by Montgomery County and Radford City Chambers of Commerce, will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 15, 2011. 

Attimo Winery is located at 4025 and 4071 Childress Road, Christiansburg, Virginia, between Radford and Riner, Montgomery County, in the heart of the New River Valley. Here's a Google Maps link.

On August 26, 2011, The Grand Opening Dinner will feature a cocktail hour, a four-course dinner, and a cake made by Charm City Cakes (Baltimore, MD) as seen on Food Network's Ace of Cakes.  Tickets for the Grand Opening Dinner are on sale now by calling the winery.

Attimo Winery has planted nearly 10,000 grape vines on its 17-acre property in Montgomery County and leases vineyards in both Roanoke and Albemarle Counties in Virginia. 

According to Attimo Winery co-owner, Richard Obiso, Ph.D., "We are pleased to finally open Attimo Winery and bring the farm winery experience to Montgomery County. This is a great economic driver for Montgomery County, and is a new opportunity for Virginia wine lovers throughout the Commonwealth."

Attimo Winery co-owner, Melissa Obiso, reflects: "We have created a winery with a relaxed atmosphere where visitors can come to learn something new and meaningful about wines. We offer seated tastings and we want people to feel at home during their experience at Attimo Winery."

Attimo Winery has spent the last several years developing the vineyards, building the tasting room, and completing the first major harvest (fall 2010). Attimo Winery has made 10 different wines from the 2010 harvest, with nine of them available now for purchase.  The winery has plans to open limited food service in August, 2011 with open areas for picnics and weddings, and host wine education and wine appreciation classes as well as classes on wine and cheese making.

For more information, please contact the Melissa Obiso at Attimo Winery, 540-382-7619 or at wine@attimowinery.com, or visit us at www.attimowinery.com.  

Attimo Winery is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

From Melissa and Rik Obiso, Attimo Winery:

Ah, wine! A wonderful beverage suited for many business functions, and yet so tricky to serve correctly.  Do you open it in front of everyone? How do you pour it? What if the cork breaks? The unknown is enough to keep many from actually serving wine at a business function.  Whether you are having colleagues over for wine and cheese or hosting a formal dinner in your home, these simple tips and a bit of practice will have you looking like a wine pro.

First, the capsule

The capsule - the plastic or metal wrapper covering the top of the wine bottle - protects the cork during storage, but the top needs to be cut away.  Capsule cutting tools are readily available at most wine shops.  These handy devices sit on the top of the bottle, then with a slight bit of pressure and a twist of the wrist, the top portion of the wrapper is cleanly removed.  Many corkscrews also have a small blade that can be used for the same purpose.  Rest the knife in the groove at the top of the bottle, then cut through the capsule while working around the bottle.  Voilà – top removed.  It’s best to practice this a few times so you do not bumble or bobble in front of your guests.

Next, the cork

The cork is often the most challenging obstacle to pouring wine.  If possible, set the bottle on the table or counter top, and angle the point of the corkscrew (formally called the worm) into the center of the cork. Twist about a quarter of a turn to set the corkscrew into the cork, then bring the corkscrew completely upright and twist down into the cork until less than a full turn is visible at the top of the bottle.  Now use the lever device, allowing it to rest cleanly on the rim of the bottle, and support it with your hand while gripping the neck of the bottle.  The other hand can now withdraw the cork from the bottle about 90% of the way.  Then rock the cork gently from side to side and ease it out of the bottle neck without spillage.  Try not to make the bottle "pop" sound.  The biggest errors here are a) not going deep enough with the corkscrew into the cork (leading to broken corks), and not resting the lever of the corkscrew evenly on the bottle (leading to cracked or broken tops).  Be firm but not aggressive and you will win every time.

Now, to serve

The most important guest should be served wine first, then proceed clockwise around the table with women being served next, and then followed by the men.  Pour each of the guests a glass to the 4 oz level (this is about half a cup).  Practice ahead of time to know how far this falls within the glasses you are using.  There are about 4 glasses of wine per bottle, and all bottles that are needed for the initial round should be opened at one time.  At the end of each pour, twist the bottle about a half a turn – this will catch the last drip, and allow it to fall back into the bottle with no spills on the table or guests.

Everyone is now ready for a toast to good business deals!

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For more tips and to find out more about wine etiquette, wine pairings, and the rituals of tasting and serving wine, we invite you to come by Attimo Winery in Christiansburg, Virginia. The newest farm winery in the New River Valley of Virginia, we offer a wide range of wines grown from many varieties of grapes from our own vineyards. We offer a Wine Club and different purchasing and discount opportunities called "Wine Moments." We look forward to offering classes and seminars beginning this summer when our newly built Attimo Winery Tasting Room opens in July, 2011.

You're invited to read 5 Tips for Ordering Wine at Business Dinners and more from Melissa and Rik Obiso and Attimo Winery on Handshake 2.0, to follow @attimowinery on Twitter, and to "Like" Attimo Winery on Facebook.

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Rik and Melissa Obiso of Attimo Winery are client columnists for Handshake 2.0. Attimo Winery is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

From Melissa and Rik Obiso, Attimo Winery:

Business dinners are a great way to build relationships with colleagues and to introduce yourself to new customers, or to close a deal (if you're a deal-closer type).  Let's say you've thought of all the details - paying the bill in advance, seating arrangements, and topics for casual conversation.

You're sitting at dinner in a quaint local restaurant and it’s time to order the wine. It's your dinner – you're in charge. You may be an expert at your morning Starbuck’s ritual of a tall vanilla no whip half-calf, extra hot latte – but wine is a mystery to many people. 

"Attimo" is Italian for "moment" and we're here to guide you through the moments of ordering wine at a business dinner with style and confidence.

Tip 1:  Business dinners that involve wine always go over better if the host orders a light, refreshing white (usually toward the top of the list), or sparkling wine to set the tone and to give people time to decide on their menu selections.  It also gives you a few minutes for small talk. 

Tip 2:  Know the wine list – it’s better to either call ahead or review the wine list before dinner so you know the types of wines offered.  Place yourself in a position that allows you to order last and add a bottle of wine that best fits the pairing of what your colleagues have ordered.

Tip 3: When in doubt – ask for help from your mobile device or the nearest sommelier. 

Tip 4: Do not break the bank – there are a lot of wines under $30 (even with the restaurant mark-up) that can give the allure of sophistication and wine knowledge you will need at a dinner such as this.

Tip 5: Know the common standards for tasting and being served wine at a restaurant (more on this in a future post). 

For more tips and to find out more about wine etiquette, wine pairings, and the rituals of tasting and serving wine, we invite you to come by Attimo Winery in Christiansburg, Virginia.  We are the New River Valley of Virginia’s newest farm winery and offer a wide range of wines grown from our Virginia vineyards.  We offer a Wine Club and Wine Moments and look forward to offering classes and seminars beginning this summer when our newly built Attimo Winery Tasting Room opens in July, 2011.

You're invited to read more from Melissa and Rik Obiso and Attimo Winery on Handshake 2.0 and to follow @attimowinery on Twitter and to "Like" Attimo Winery on Facebook.

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Rik and Melissa Obiso of Attimo Winery are client columnists for Handshake 2.0. Attimo Winery is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

Wine moments with Attimo Winery

Every business, organization, and industry has its own unique language - its own jargon - comfortable to all who know it.  Whether highly technical or not, those who work in it speak a language that would receive puzzling looks on Main Street. 

Jargon Pinot Noir V.2008 is a full-bodied red wine that speaks in all the right ways.  It has a soft mouth feel that says "I'm smooth," and a peppery finish that says "I'm spicy." Those hints of vanilla and cherry say "I'm complicated, too."  A great wine served with grilled chicken, pizza, even chili.

Cut through the wine jargon, and just drink good wine!

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Rik and Melissa Obiso, co-owners of Attimo Winery, a new winery located in the New River Valley of Virginia, write a weekly wine recommendation for Handshake 2.0. Attimo Winery plans to open to the public as early as 2012.  Attimo Winery (formely Eclipse Winery) was featured in  Couple hope grapes will yield dream business and Wine business budding in Montgomery County in The Roanoke Times.  You're invited to read all the recommendations, more about Attimo Winery on Handshake 2.0, and to follow Attimo Winery on Twitter @attimowinery.

Attimo Winery, a Virginia winery, is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

Wine moments with Attimo Winery

"Old school." The phrase is commonly used to describe an older but better way of doing things, even business.  "Old school" business practices conjure up memories of small town businesses that made home deliveries and knew customers by name.

The Old School Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 is a smooth, deep red wine with abundant cherry flavors.  We found this red improved its flavor when chilled - a rare quality for Cabernet Sauvignon.  Serve this wine with pork or duck the next time old friends are gathered together. 

Remember good times and make new memories with Old School Lane.

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All are invited to join the Attimo Winery Planting Party, April 17-18, 2010.

Rik and Melissa Obiso, co-owners of Attimo Winery, a new winery located in the New River Valley of Virginia, write a weekly wine recommendation for Handshake 2.0. Attimo Winery plans to open to the public as early as 2012.  Attimo Winery (formely Eclipse Winery) was featured in  Couple hope grapes will yield dream business and Wine business budding in Montgomery County in The Roanoke Times.  You're invited to read all the recommendations, more about Attimo Winery on Handshake 2.0, and to follow Attimo Winery on Twitter @attimowinery.

Attimo Winery, a Virginia winery, is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

We were delighted to learn of Attimo Winery's new name.  In Italian, "attimo" means "a moment," and we look forward to many exciting moments ahead to share with Rik and Melissa Obiso - particularly that first sip of wine from the very first vintage!  Congratulations!  A toast to Attimo Winery!

All are invited to join the Attimo Winery Planting Party, April 17-18, 2010.

Eclipse Winery changes name to Attimo Winery

Christiansburg, VA – Eclipse Winery, LLC announced that the Company’s members approved a name change to Attimo Winery, LLC at the annual meeting on January 31, 2010.

Attimo Winery, a farm-winery in Montgomery County, Virginia is beginning its third year of vineyard operations this spring.  The company expects to move forward with TTB bonding and its first grape harvest in 2010.

Attimo, which means “a moment” in Italian, expresses how its owners, Rik and Melissa Obiso feel about their venture. 

"We’ve been working hard on this project for a number of years, and now we're poised at the edge of a new beginning for Attimo Winery.  We are truly starting to see the fruits of our labor, and the hopes of what is yet to come.  We know that it is the beginning of many memorable moments for us and for customers of our wines," said Melissa Obiso about the winery and the recent name change.

Attimo expects to harvest Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Raspberries this year to produce its first year’s vintage. Attimo Winery, LLC, formerly Eclipse Winery, LLC, was founded in 2007 and is privately held. The Company is located in Christiansburg, Virginia.

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Rik and Melissa Obiso, co-owners of Attimo Winery, a new winery located in the New River Valley of Virginia, write a weekly wine recommendation for Handshake 2.0. Attimo Winery plans to open to the public as early as 2012.  Attimo Winery (formely Eclipse Winery) was featured in  Couple hope grapes will yield dream business and Wine business budding in Montgomery County in The Roanoke Times.  You're invited to read all the recommendations, more about Attimo Winery on Handshake 2.0, to follow Attimo Winery on Twitter @attimowinery.

Attimo Winery, a Virginia winery, is a client of Blacksburg, Virginia-based social media and public relations company Handshake Media, Incorporated, the parent company of Handshake 2.0.

Added 3/10/10:  Eclipse Winery has a new name - Attimo Winery!  We've changed the post's title to reflect Attimo's new name.

From Anne Clelland:

He's a microbiologist.  She's an architect.  They fell in love and bought a vineyard.

And they brought people together.

That could be a movie.

At a thank-you gathering given by Rik and Melissa Obiso for those who have been part of the start-up of Eclipse Winery, I was reminded frequently of films such as A Good Year and French Kiss where miracles of humanity and nature happen in a vineyard.

Besides an architect and a microbiologist, present were an extension service agent, a pro golf official, an art teacher, an inventive mechanic known as MacGyver, a university professor, a grandma, the neighbor from next door, the neighbor from over the hill, and running children (through grapevines).

Eclipse Winery belongs to the Obisos, of course, and yet...

"These are the vines I planted."  "When was bud break?"  "We have voles.  Do you have voles?"

Each person has a literal and figurative stake in the vineyard.  Each has planted grapevines, weeded grapevines, given knowledgeable or semi-knowledgeable advice on grapevines, fixed grapevine-tending equipment, or in some way joined Rik and Melissa Obiso in believing - not in a movie version - but in a real vineyard.

And not on a movie set, either.  In rural, southwest Virginia.

Each was drawn to the inexpressible magic, romance, and possibility of a vineyard. 

And to a young couple who, with love and belief, bought a vineyard.

The wine grapes grow at Eclipse Winery.

Guest columnists Rik and Melissa Obiso, co-owners of Eclipse Winery, LLC, a new winery located in the New River Valley of Virginia, write Today's Eclipse, a weekly wine recommendation for Handshake 2.0.  Eclipse Winery, LLC plans to open to the public as early as 2012.  The Eclipse Winery story, Couple hope grapes will yield dream business was featured in The Roanoke Times.  You're invited to read all the Today's Eclipse recommendations, more about Eclipse Winery, and about Rik Obiso on Handshake 2.0.  You can follow Eclipse Winery on Twitter @eclipsewinery.

Added 3/10/10:  Eclipse Winery has a new name - Attimo Winery!  We've changed the post's title to reflect Attimo's new name.

From Anne Clelland:

My company is a member of VT KnowledgeWorks, a business acceleration center for both start-ups and established companies. We talk entrepreneurship all day long, differentiating an entrepreneurial business model from a lifestyle business in terms of anticipating high-growth.

Those businesses look a lot alike at start-up.  They're very small.

Rik and Melissa Obiso, co-founders of start-up vineyard Eclipse Winery are entrepreneurs.  Not only do they anticipate high growth through international sales of their one-of-a-kind wines, but, like the most passionate entrepreneurs, they're already seeking investors to expand their operations for a teeny, tiny product, definitely still in development.

The start-up product
in development mode:
Cabernet franc grapes grow at Eclipse Winery

Did I mention the first bottle is expected in 2012?  Or that Eclipse Winery is determinedly located in Riner, Virginia?  That would not be in NoVa - Northern Virginia, near D.C. - but in what Mike Drzal, a leading attorney in venture capital with LeClairRyan, terms "RoVa - the Rest of Virginia."

I love entrepreneurs.

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Wistfully, I disclose that I am not an investor in Eclipse Winery.  All of my investment dollars are currently funding another start-up - you guessed it - Handshake 2.0.  Eclipse Winery is not a client of Handshake 2.0, either.  They're currently buying grapevines.  I'm a fan.  And there's something about a vineyard...  

Entrepreneurship runs in the family at Eclipse Winery

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As guest columnists, Rik and Melissa Obiso, co-owners of Eclipse Winery, LLC, a new winery located in the New River Valley of Virginia, write Today's Eclipse, a weekly wine recommendation for Handshake 2.0.  Eclipse Winery, LLC plans to open to the public as early as 2012.  The Eclipse Winery story, Couple hope grapes will yield dream business was featured in The Roanoke Times.  You're invited to read all the Today's Eclipse recommendations, more about Eclipse Winery, and about Rik Obiso on Handshake 2.0.  You can follow Eclipse Winery on Twitter @eclipsewinery.

Added 3/10/10:  Eclipse Winery has a new name - Attimo Winery!  We've changed the post's title to reflect Attimo's new name.

Handshake 2.0, specializing in online handshakes, invites companies to send us a photograph of a real-time handshake - a Handshake 1.0.

Here's a warm handshake between Margaret Galecki, General Manager of Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS® and Rik Obiso, co-founder of Eclipse Winery. 

Both online and off, it's still who you know.  Coldwell Banker Townside real estate agent Tommy Clapp helped Rik and Melissa Obiso purchase the land for Eclipse Winery.

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Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS® is a full service real estate agency specializing in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, and Salem, Virginia real estate and homes.  It strives to be the best online source for real estate listings in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Roanoke, Salem and all of the Roanoke Valley and New River Valley. Experienced agents are available to provide expert real estate advice and quality customer service. 

You're invited to view this week's featured properties and search all area listings on the Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS® site, and to read agents' tips on the Coldwell Banker Townside, REALTORS® blog, Keepin' It Real Estate.

Eclipse Winery, a new winery located in the New River Valley of Virginia, was founded by Rik and Melissa Obiso, and plans to open to the public as early as 2012. The Eclipse Winery story, Couple hope grapes will yield dream business, was featured in The Roanoke Times.

Eclipse Winery, LLC, seeks investors passionate about wine and the growth of the wine industry.  It has long-term plans to raise capital for building the business.  Benefits for investors can include cases of wine when Eclipse Winery begins producing, invitations to special events when the Winery opens, and membership on an advisory board.  For more information, please contact Rik and Melissa Obiso, eclipsewinery@hotmail.com.

You can follow Eclipse on Twitter @eclipsewinery.