Sonoma’s historic Depot Hotel & Restaurant was sold to Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group of Ken and Stacy Mattson, the group that bought everything from Cornerstone to Ramekins, racking up over $ 130 million in Sonoma Valley real estate over the course of over the past five years. Saleswoman Virginia (Gia) Ghilarducci briefed guests and staff on Sunday evening with her son Tony by her side.

The 1870 building was built in stone from the quarries of General Mariano Vallejo and was designed as a three-room house. One of the building’s first subsequent owners, Italian immigrant Giacomo Mazza, was a stonemason who turned the living room into a living room.

In 1890, the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad purchased the Sonoma Valley Railroad and extended the adjacent tracks to the lounge side.

When the station was built across the street (now the Sonoma Valley Historical Society’s Depot Park Museum), the railroad bought the living room and added a kitchen to serve passengers. Later, they added eight rooms upstairs called the Northwestern Depot Hotel. For several years, the establishment served robust Italian dinners to residents of Sonoma until the building was reverted to a private residence in 1923.

After 12 years of restoration, the Hotel Dépôt has reopened its doors as a restaurant.

Michael and Gia Ghilarducci bought the Depot Hotel & Restaurant in 1985 and moved upstairs with their family, including their son Antonio (Tony) and daughter Gianna, who is now married to the lawyer and school district administrator. Unified of Sonoma Valley, John Kelly.

After the sudden death of chef Michael Ghilarducci in 2014, his son Tony took over as executive chef, having learned from his father and worked in several top restaurants, including the French Laundry.

As the family’s focus shifted, Gia offered the place for sale for $ 5 million in 2019, including the building and the beautiful west-facing pool and patio.

The Mattsons’ purchase price has not been disclosed, although the couple are known to offer above market value on some of the many properties they have purchased since 2016.

Gia Ghilarducci told staff and guests on Sunday evening that nothing would change and the deal would be done in two weeks. She did not respond to repeated emails and phone messages.