Due to his generous
contributions to various causes in Sonoma County,
Art is often in the news. In addition to these
stories, Art's got quite a bit on news to share
of his own. From time to time, this page will be
updated to reflect what's really going on in the
Pasta King's kingdom.
Bella
Sonoma Winery
Art has taken the same
philosophy he uses with food, "Make it
declicious and reasonably priced", and
applied it to his new venture, wine. The name of
the winery is "Bella Sonoma", meaning
"Beautiful Sonoma", and it goes
beautifully with his cuisine.
He began planting Pinot
Noir grapes in 1998, and produced good table wine
only 15 months later. His first commercial
grapes, harvested in 2002, created a wine that
captured a Gold Medal at the 2004 Harvest Fair.
Pinot was a perfect
choice for Arturo, because the word means
"pines", due to the cone-like shape of
the grape clusters. And Monterey pines were grown
for Christmas trees on the property before
grapes. Pinot is also the perfect grape for the
Sonoma Coast appellation, the largest and
coolest, with its extensive exposure to the
Pacific Ocean and marine influences.
The higher elevation on
his mountain lowers the temperature by day and is
usually above the fog by night. These
characteristics, along with longer exposure to
daylight, contribute to an extended growing
season and grapes rich in tannins and extracted
flavors. Pinot is a subtle grape, producing a
light-bodied wine. It offers a supple, rounded,
sensuous texture, and requires lots of attention
while sipping, allowing the flavors to unfold.
Art has recently
expanded his 50 acre vineyard to include Shiraz,
Merlot, and Chardonnay. Bella Sonoma Pinot Noir
2002 can be purchased locally at Traverso's and
Lola's Markets, and also at Mixx and The Tides
Restaurants.
Another
Gold Medal
Congratulations Art on another Gold Medal! At
the 2001 Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Art received
a Gold Medal for his Herbed Oil & Vinaigrette
Salad Dressing.
Art
Honored In Washington, D.C.
Congressional
Record
Proceedings and Debates of the 107th Congress, First
Session
Washington, Friday, February 23, 2001
House
of Representatives
Remarks of
the Honorable Mike Thompson
in Recognition of Art Ibleto
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a good
friend, Art Ibleto, who is being honored this
month by the Sonoma County Democratic Central
committee for his lifetime of achievements.
It is rare for one political party to pay
tribute to a member of another political party,
but Mr. Ibleto is a unique individual as his many
accomplishments demonstrate.
As a young man during World War II in Italy,
he joined the underground to fight against Nazi
Germany and the Fascists. His specialty was
demolition - planting explosives under bridges
and railroads and in highway tunnels to hinder
the German advance.
Following the war, Mr. Ibleto immigrated to
the United States and eventually settles in
Sonoma County where he worked in the fields
picking vegetables and as a mechanic, truck
driver and factory worker.
He married Vicki Ghiradelli in 1951 and they
bought their first home and acerage in 1961. Art
and Vicki raised hogs and cows and harvested
potatoes, before moving on the more lucrative
ventures of growing Christmas trees and building
and renting duplexes.
Art and Vicky became members of the Petaluma
Lodge of the Sons of Italy in 1958. Art served in
various offices of his local lodge, including two
terms as President. He served as Grand Deputy to
the Santa Rosa Lodge for many years. He was also
National State Delegate for 24 years, State Vice
President for four years, and eventually attained
the office of State President in 1995.
In 1974 Art started the Spaghetti Palace at
the Sonoma County Fair as a United Lodges, Sons
of Italy project. In a very short time, the
Spaghetti Palace became the number one vendor at
the county fair.
As a result of the success of the Spaghetti
Palace, Art took on a new career of supplying
local stores with his own line of Italian cuisine
and catering special events. He is known
throughout California for his savory dishes and
has earned the title of the "Pasta
King."
Mr. Speaker, because Art Ibleto's commitment
to his native and adopted country and to the
people of Sonoma County, it is fitting and proper
to honor him today for his many accomplishments
and contributions.
California Representative Mike Thompson
OTHER
AWARDS:
1978 - California Legislature Resolution for
work with The Order of Sons of Italy
1995 and 2001 - California State Senate
Resolutions of Commendation
2003 - City of Santa Rosa Honorary Citizen
Award
2005 - City of Rohnert Park Honorary Citizen
Award
>back
to top
|