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In the rolling hills of Alto Monferrato, where medieval castles dot the ridgelines and vineyards sweep across the landscape, the village of Carpeneto sits quietly — unchanged and almost entirely unknown to American travelers. With its stone lanes, walled courtyards, seven ancient chapels and four historic palazzos, it feels untouched by time.
By Spring 2026, it will also be home to one of the most exclusive private clubs in Europe. It is now accepting membership applications.
Club Carpeneto is not a hotel. It’s not a resort. It isn’t even a luxury retreat. Instead, it is a private world intentionally embedded inside an Italian village, restored with reverence and reimagined with sensual, quiet luxury. Its founder, Middle Tennessee–born James M. Thomason, says it could only have happened in Alto Monferrato.
“I fell in love with Piemonte—the beauty of the region, the culture, the food, the wine,” Thomason says. “Every hill has a historic village and a castle. There’s a wealth of history in such a small area. When I saw the Palazzo in Carpeneto, I knew it was meant to become something special.”
The Palazzo he’s referring to—Palazzo Lanzavecchia—anchors the club. Portions of it date to around 1300; others were added through 1741–1800 under the Fallabrino family. Thomason has spent nearly two years restoring it, fresco by fresco, tile by tile.
“We’ve kept as much of the original as possible,” he says. “The frescoes, the tiles, the architectural features. But we’ve brought in modern elements tastefully—always with respect for the heritage.”
The result feels less like a renovation and more like a resurrection.
Thomason first spotted the Palazzo online. Carpeneto, he explains, “is a very small hilltop village—easy to find and impossible to forget.”
What drew him in wasn’t just the property but the soul of the area: the rich layers of culture, the history reflected in the architecture, and that Monferrato remains one of Italy’s most undiscovered regions.
“The beauty here is unbelievable,” he says. “And the fact that this area is relatively unknown makes it even more special.”
He quickly understood that turning the Palazzo into a traditional hotel “would never honor what it is.” Instead, he envisioned a private club—small and membership-driven, similar to Soho House—where the building’s history could be preserved, celebrated, and experienced. Thomason wanted to develop a retreat rooted in heritage for people who intentionally curate their lives.
The idea came organically. Thomason’s parents were longtime members of private clubs, and he saw how those communities fostered a sense of belonging. Later, he ran an art gallery in Nashville and watched as SoHo House brought a creative, culturally minded membership model to the city’s affluent residents.
“To have clients of similar mind — who appreciate art, culture, fine wine, history — and who want to bring this beautiful area back to its former glory… that only works in a private club setting,” he says. The Palazzo, he adds, “lends itself perfectly to that life.”
Built across five floors and integrated into the medieval town walls, it features a large lower garden, an upper courtyard, and sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and the distant Alps.
“I envision this as a retreat for our members—Italian and international,” he says, “a private luxury oasis where they can set their burdens aside.”
When asked to describe Club Carpeneto in three words, Thomason doesn’t hesitate: luxury, privacy, beauty. He explains that luxury is expressed through partnerships with fashion houses, jewelry brands, and art curators. The Palazzo doubles as an art gallery, featuring carefully selected works available for purchase.
“The entirety of the art collection makes it a gallery,” he says. “If a member falls in love with a piece, they can buy it, and we’ll arrange shipping.”
Privacy is equally central.
“Our Palazzo is walled and gated—the same walls that have stood for hundreds of years,” Thomason says.
Entrances are monitored, key-card access is required, and security staff are always on site. Enhanced security is also available. The club also enforces a no-photography policy.
“Digital privacy matters,” he says. “We want our members to feel secure. Violating another member’s privacy is grounds for expulsion.”