The Luis Pedroso Believe award
Honoring a Legacy of Sharing, Opportunity, and Inspiration
The Luis Pedroso BELIEVE Award was created to honor individuals who embody generosity, humility, and opportunity. They are people who lift others as they rise. Inspired by the life and legacy of Luis Pedroso, this award recognizes those who do not just achieve success, but who create it for others. The BELIEVE Award reflects Luis’s unwavering belief in people, their potential, and the power of opportunity.
Luis believes in something simple, yet powerful: “We don’t give back. We share.”
ABOUT Luis Pedroso
Luis Pedroso was an entrepreneur, mentor, and philanthropist whose life was centered around one idea: helping others succeed. He was also a close personal friend of Amy LaBelle and Cesar Arboleda, co-owners of LaBelle Winery. His impact is woven into the winery itself, with a vineyard at LaBelle Winery’s flagship Amherst location named in his honor. It serves as a lasting tribute to his generosity and the way he inspired others. The Pedroso Vineyard at LaBelle Winery stands as a daily reminder of his enduring impact. Born in the Azores and shaped by a journey that spans continents, Luis built his life in the United States with resilience and purpose. Through his companies, he created opportunity, providing employment and stability for more than 200 families. His influence reached far beyond business. Luis quietly supported small businesses, often removing financial barriers so others could grow. He believed in education, mentorship, and investing in people, both locally and around the world. He did not seek recognition. He simply believed in sharing what he had so others can build a better future.
A Personal Legacy
In 2012, as Amy LaBelle and Cesar Arboleda were preparing to open LaBelle Winery, Luis listened to their dream. With both business acumen and a deeply caring heart, he guided them through early planning, connected them with a bank that ultimately provided the funding they needed, and continued to show genuine interest in their growth. What made Luis extraordinary was that he did this not just for them, but for so many others. He was a true champion of the entrepreneurial spirit, helping countless individuals realize their potential and often playing a direct role in launching businesses and changing lives. When LaBelle Winery opened, Amy and Cesar named one of their vineyards in his honor. The vineyard sign features a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.” It is a perfect reflection of Luis, who thrived on helping others grow.
“Dedicating a vineyard in Luis’s name was incredibly meaningful to us. It represented growth, resilience, and the idea that what we nurture today can have a lasting impact for generations to come. Luis lived that every day, quietly supporting others and helping them flourish. We are honored to have his legacy forever rooted here at LaBelle Winery.”
-Amy LaBelle, Co-Owner and Winemaker
“I knew Luis from my early days in Lowell, MA, and what has always stood out to me is how naturally he helped people, especially young adults who are having a difficult time finding their direction. He gave them opportunity, guidance, and confidence. Over time, you see those same individuals go on to build successful, meaningful lives. That was Luis. He changed lives, often without seeking recognition.”
-Cesar Arboleda, Co-Owner
BELIEVE Award Criteria:
The individuals recognized through this award reflect these same qualities:
- Creating Opportunity for Others: Providing access, mentorship, or resources that help others succeed and grow.
- Entrepreneurial Impact with Purpose: Building businesses or initiatives that prioritize people and create meaningful, lasting impact.
- Quiet Generosity: Giving time, support, or resources without seeking recognition or attention.
- Commitment to Community: Making a measurable difference in local or global communities.
- Mentorship and Leadership: Guiding others, investing in their success, and leading with integrity and humility.
- Living the Spirit of Sharing: Embracing the belief that success is meant to be shared with others.
How Recipients are Selected:
Recipients of the Luis Pedroso BELIEVE Award are thoughtfully chosen by LaBelle Winery leadership. This is not an application-based award. It is reserved for individuals whose impact is meaningful, consistent, and often carried out without recognition, people who naturally reflect the values Luis lived by.
Presentation of the Award:
The Luis Pedroso BELIEVE Award was created in 2022 and first introduced at LaBelle Winery’s 10 Year Anniversary Gala, where Luis Pedroso was honored as its inaugural recipient. The award will continue to be presented periodically, recognizing individuals whose actions reflect Luis’s spirit of generosity, mentorship, and belief in others.
