John Mattern, 'The Ranchman,' dies at 67

CRISTA JEREMIASON / The Press Democrat John Mattern, shown here in 2005 in an Alexander Valley vineyard, died Sunday. He was 67.

John Mattern could saddle a horse or gut a boar as easily as he hobnobbed about grape varietals, discussed terroir, or showcased a multimillion-dollar ranch to a sports legend.

His breadth of knowledge about rural Sonoma County, and his prolific career selling wineries, vineyards and ranches, earned him the nickname “The Ranchman.”

In 1995, the Santa Rosa resident helped former 49er quarterback Joe Montana buy a 500-acre ranch in Knights Valley. He also worked with comedian Robin Williams, and became a go-to listing agent for Kendall-Jackson and other wineries over the years.

Mattern, who had been in declining health since having his feet amputated in 2005 as a result of peripheral vascular disease, died on Sunday morning from complications of an infection. He was 67.

In 1976, Mattern joined the upstart firm Keegan & Coppin — now the North Bay's largest commercial real estate firm — as the company's first hire. Under the tutelage of the late James Keegan Sr., who was a retired banker and a fourth-generation Sonoma County resident, Mattern became introduced to the area's long-standing families, many who still held expansive tracts of land.

He already carried an impressive knowledge of soil and plant life. Mattern, who was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., grew up working on his family's nursery.

“He was a ranch guy who knew his stuff. He knew about plants, he knew about vineyards, he knew about soils,” said Al Coppin, a close friend of Mattern. “For John, getting out in the pickup and driving around a ranch, checking fences, that was his life and love.”

His business blossomed. Mattern sold about $300 million in real estate over the years, Coppin said. Mattern played a major role as broker of perhaps the most transformative agricultural movement in the county's history as apple orchards and timberland gave way to vineyards in the 1990s.

“The Ranchman dealt with all the big vintners and wineries over the years,” Coppin said. “His client list was pretty incredible.”

Mattern advocated the local wine movement.

“The word is out: Sonoma County is on the map,” Mattern told The Press Democrat in October 1999. “There is no place like Sonoma County. There isn't another place like this, that can grow the variety of grapes here.”

Mattern first came to California as a teenager on a family vacation, and quickly became enraptured with the west coast, said his wife, Gina Mattern of Santa Rosa.

But before he came west, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the demilitarized zone in Korea. After getting out, he attended Boston University and graduated with a communications degree in 1968.

He moved to Los Angeles after graduating, and was eventually fired from his job writing advertising copy.

“He got fired because he spent more of his time in his blue Camaro with the top down, driving to Santa Monica,” Gina Mattern said, laughing at the memory he liked to share.

He made his way up to the Bay Area. But on a trip back down to Los Angeles in 1987, he got set up on a blind date with Gina Mattern.

“It was love at first sight,” she said. “We just completely clicked right away. He proposed nine months later.”

They have two children, Julia, 19, and John “Jack,” 17, both of Santa Rosa.

Mattern loved to hunt, ride his Arab horses and swim in the ocean. He belonged to a private riding group, the Sonoma County Trailblazers, and took annual week-long trips with them. He also hunted with friends such as Coppin in a group they dubbed “The Baxter Deer Club.”

“John was a no-nonsense guy, very well respected,” Coppin said. “He was a gentlemen's gentlemen.”

Mattern is survived by his wife, two children, sisters Margaret Glennon of Wayne, Pa. and Molly Penny of The Villages, Fla., and brother Michael Mattern of Duxbury, Mass.

The family is still arranging funeral services, and hopes to have it at St. Rose Catholic Church later this week. A rosary prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Ave. in Santa Rosa.