Foley Entertainment Group purchased a majority stake in the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, Calif. Catherine and Joe Bartolomei, siblings and fifth-generation Russian River Valley farmers who have owned Farmhouse Inn since 2001, will retain partial ownership of the property. FEG will assume operations of Farmhouse Inn effective immediately, together with the Bartolomei family who will continue to be active in the property’s future. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
FEG’s hospitality portfolio includes Hotel Les Mars in nearby Healdsburg and the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara, alongside an array of other resorts, restaurants and vineyards.
A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection, Farmhouse Inn has 25 rooms and suites, a restaurant in a restored farmhouse and a spa. The Bartolomei family purchased the six-acre property and historic farmhouse more than 20 years ago.
The organic alignment between FEG and Farmhouse Inn was driven by a personal connection to the community, which is also home to several vineyards from the Foley Family Wines portfolio.
“We are excited for this incredible new synergy between two well-rooted Sonoma County families, joined by a common vision to enhance an award-winning brand synonymous with luxury and authenticity—a testament to Joe and Catherine's dedication over the past two decades,” FEG Founder and Chairman Bill Foley said in a statement. “Their local heritage as fifth generation Forestville residents deeply resonates with us. This is more than a business venture; it’s a family partnership founded on shared values and a celebration of the exciting future that lies ahead.”
FEG said day-to-day strategy and operations at Farmhouse Inn will be overseen by Warren Nocon, executive vice president of the company’s hotel division. Nocon currently oversees the strategic operations of Hotel Californian, Hotel Les Mars and Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard in Dundee, Ore. He previously was managing director of Hotel Californian.
“Over the last 20 years, Catherine and I have grown Farmhouse Inn into one of America’s most iconic boutique luxury hotels but have always dreamt of doing so much more,” Bartolomei said. “We have long searched for the ideal partners who share our vision, and we are thrilled that we have found that in the Foley family who, like us, have a deep love and commitment to this region. We look forward to doing amazing things together.”