Cornerstone Sonoma, one of the Sonoma Valley’s most beloved public gathering places, is coming back to life. The 9-acre complex at 23570 Arnold Drive will hold a grand reopening celebration on Friday, April 24, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. — a milestone for a community that watched the property fall into visible disrepair during years of scandal-tainted ownership.
Key takeaways
- New owners Highland Pacific Capital LLC purchased the property for $10.65 million in December 2025 and have spent months restoring the grounds and buildings.
- The grand reopening celebration runs Friday, April 24, 4:30–6:30 p.m. at 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, with a ribbon-cutting, live music, and seasonal food and wine.
- Current tenants include Meadowcroft Winery, Folktable café, and Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group.
- The property deteriorated under prior owners LeFever Mattson, whose principal Ken Mattson faces federal wire fraud charges tied to an alleged $100 million Ponzi scheme.
- New ownership has signaled the complex will welcome LGBTQ+ events — a direct reversal of the previous owners’ publicly anti-LGBTQ+ stance.
From fraud fallout to fresh start
Cornerstone Sonoma’s long slide was inseparable from the collapse of LeFever Mattson, the Sonoma County real estate firm whose principal, Ken Mattson, faces federal charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated a Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of investors of approximately $100 million. Co-principal Tim LeFever agreed in February 2026 to pay $4.725 million into a trust for creditors and clients. LeFever Mattson dissolved in December 2024, according to the Press Democrat.
The grounds at Cornerstone suffered visibly during those turbulent years. Lily ponds stagnated, hedges grew unruly, and tenants departed. The property had already lost community goodwill after a 2019 social media controversy in which Stacy Mattson posted anti-LGBTQ+ content opposing marriage equality — an episode that alienated a core segment of Sonoma Valley visitors and residents.
New owners move fast on restoration
Walnut Creek-based Highland Pacific Capital LLC, which specializes in distressed commercial real estate, paid $10.65 million for the full 44-acre property on December 5, 2025. The holdings include the 9-acre retail center, 19 acres of vineyards, an organic farm, overflow parking, and storage. Principals Kabul Singh and his son Jobin Singh Randhawa quickly set to work on the visible problems.
Since taking over, the team has deep-cleaned and restored the lily ponds, trimmed hedges and landscaping, added new patio furniture, restored the lawn, repainted the exterior barn, refurbished the test kitchen, and pressure-washed throughout. Three tenants anchor the complex: Meadowcroft Winery, which relocated on-site; Folktable, reopened as a casual coffee, pastry, and panini café; and Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group, managing wedding and event spaces.
Local leaders expressed cautious optimism to KSRO and the Press Democrat. Ethan Brown of the Economic Development Collaborative called Cornerstone “a fantastic spot” with “something for everybody,” while Sonoma Valley Chamber CEO Mark Bodenhamer said he hoped the reopening would restore “vibrancy.” Gary Saperstein, founder of Out in The Vineyard, praised the new owners for welcoming Pride events: “With our community under attack…that support means so much more now.”
Cornerstone’s place in Sonoma Valley
Cornerstone has long served as an unusual anchor for the southern end of Sonoma Valley — part tasting room corridor, part design garden showcase, part community gathering space. Located across from Gloria Ferrer Winery on Arnold Drive, it functions as an informal gateway to the wine country corridor. Its revival matters both to the local tourism economy and to residents who use it as a casual destination year-round. The Sonoma wine country scene has had plenty to celebrate lately: a Sonoma County Grenache recently claimed the historic Best of Best title at a major wine competition, underscoring the region’s continued presence at the top of the industry.
The Cornerstone reopening is also the latest sign of renewal in Sonoma’s cultural landscape. Earlier this month, Tony Ginesi took the helm at the Sebastiani Theatre, another landmark seeking to re-energize after a difficult stretch.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening at Cornerstone Sonoma on April 24?
Cornerstone Sonoma is hosting a grand reopening celebration from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 23570 Arnold Drive. The event features a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, and seasonal food and wine from current tenants including Meadowcroft Winery and Folktable café. The event is open to the public.
Is Cornerstone Sonoma fully open now?
Yes. New owner Highland Pacific Capital has been operating the complex since December 2025, but Friday’s event is the formal public celebration of the property’s restoration. Meadowcroft Winery, Folktable, and Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group are all currently operating on-site.
What happened to the previous owners of Cornerstone Sonoma?
Cornerstone was previously controlled by LeFever Mattson, a Sonoma County real estate company. Principal Ken Mattson faces federal charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice over an alleged $100 million Ponzi scheme. Co-principal Tim LeFever agreed in February 2026 to pay $4.725 million into a creditor trust. LeFever Mattson dissolved in December 2024.
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