The new owners are Seattle-based Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. and Brooks Street, a California-based real estate development and investment company, according to a news release. Noble House is the same group that owns and manages Napa’s River Terrace Inn.

The train’s approximately 150 employees will remain on the job, including CEO Tony Giaccio, said Jake Donoghue, CEO of Noble House Hotels & Resorts. However, chairman Greg McManus — son-in-law of founder DeDomenico — has stepped down, he said.

“We are confident that the Noble House family, with its proven hospitality expertise, will not only preserve this wonderful institution, but ensure its continued growth and enhancement,” said Giaccio.

Donoghue, who described the Wine Train as “a treasured icon,” declined to say how much the partners paid, only that it was somewhere between $10 million and $50 million.

“Noble House is honored to carry on the tradition of the Wine Train, and we’re committed to maintaining the character and charm of the attraction while enhancing its operations,” said Pat Colee, Noble House founder and chairman of the board. The Napa Valley Wine Train “is the perfect addition to showcase our service culture.”

DeDomenico, who founded Wine Train in 1989, was the man behind the Rice-a-Roni brand of products, the “San Francisco treat” made famous by television ads featuring San Francisco cable cars and a memorable jingle. Over the years, he defended the train from critics who said it would “Disney-fy” the Napa Valley.

The Wine Train began gourmet-dining service Sept. 16, 1989. The railroad line, however, was built and operated by Samuel Brannan in 1864 as a tourist railroad to take visiting San Franciscans as they arrived by ferry in south Napa to Calistoga.

Last year marked the 25th anniversary for the Wine Train and the 150th anniversary for the rail corridor.

“Without a doubt, the Napa Valley Wine Train is one of our most popular attractions, enjoyed by visitors from all over the world,” said Catherine Heywood, director of operations at Visit Napa Valley. “New ownership could result in some great opportunities for visitors and locals, particularly if the new owners are good community partners.”

“It’s very positive news for the Wine Train and for Napa,” said Travis Stanley, Napa Chamber president and CEO. “I’m very familiar with the Noble House hotel/restaurant brand and look forward to seeing them expand their footprint here in Napa.”

While the group owns and manages a portfolio of 18 properties spanning the U.S., this is the first purchase of a railroad business for the group, Donoghue said.
 

“We are looking at wonderful enhancements of all areas of the train,” he said. The company already has a hospitality reservation system, marketing and other operations that it can use with the train, Donoghue said.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers a 36-mile round-trip journey from Napa to St. Helena, including fine dining and wine. The business owns the tracks, which run along an easement. More than 100,000 people ride the train each year. As many as 370 people can ride the train during each 3-hour-long journey. Tickets usually start at $124.

Most recently, the Wine Train was embroiled in a national media controversy over a group of predominately black women who were ordered to leave the train on Aug. 22 after train staff said other passengers complained of excessively loud talking and disruptive behavior.

After rejecting an apology from the Wine Train, the women have since consulted with a civil rights attorney for a possible lawsuit or settlement.

Donoghue referred questions about the incident’s impact on the sale to the previous owners. A representative from the Wine Train declined to comment. A spokesperson for Brooks Street could not be reached on Tuesday afternoon.