MEMBERSHIPS
A SMALL COMMUNITY FOR A BIGGER WORLD.
The Key brings together a small community of people who share a love of exceptional food, wild places, and meaningful experiences. All with a closer connection to Chef Mike, Hill House and the forthcoming Axis Restaurant. The Key Membership is an invitation into a world of extraordinary tables, unforgettable landscapes, and genuine relationships.
The Key offers individual and couples memberships, with specific details provided upon request. A limited number of members are accepted each year to ensure a highly personal and exclusive experience.
HILL HOUSE
Hill House is where it all began. An intimate setting for extraordinary food, wine, and conversation. The Key Members receive priority access and a deeper connection to this one-of-a-kind experience.
Individual members receive four included seats annually at Hill House dinners and wine events. Couple memberships receive six.
Only 16 dinners will be offered each year, and every date will be presented to Key members before it is released to the public or other guest list.
Members also have the opportunity to reserve Hill House for a private event. This is not available to anyone outside of The Key Membership. Up to six private bookings will be accepted annually on a first come, first serve basis.
AXIS RESTAURANT
Axis is Chef Mike’s forthcoming restaurant, where wild ingredients, exceptional technique, and a global perspective come together. Key members will enjoy priority reservations, direct access to management, and the opportunity to reserve Axis privately.
The bar and kitchen is expected to open in late January, and the restaurant will open in the summer of 2027.
Key members will be the first invited to experience both concepts through exclusive soft-openings.
Chef Mike will also be developing Axis wine. New private blends and select vintages created with Napa wineries, available only through Axis restaurant and to members of The Key.
BEYOND THE DINING ROOM
A limited number of Key members will have access to private hunting and deer-stalking experiences with Chef Mike on managed land outside of Fredericksburg. The low-fence, free range experiences may include axis deer, whitetail, and other wild game.
The emphasis is on thoughtful land management, fieldcraft, butchery, cookery and the complete experience, not simply the pursuit of trophies.
TRAVEL WITH CHEF MIKE
Members have the opportunity to accompany Chef Mike and his wife Claudine on as many as three private domestic and international journeys each year. Hosted personal by Chef Mike, these intimate trips are limited to approximately 12 guests and designed with couples in mind.
Each journey combines exceptional accommodations, regional culture, wild food, wine, hunting, butchery and unforgettable meals prepared alongside Chef Mike. These are not conventional hunting trips, they are relaxed and highly personal journeys built around place, culture, food and brining ingredients from field to table.
TERRA PAMPA, ARGENTINA
A private lodge set across 40,000 acres featuring blackbuck, red stag and axis deer along with field butcher, traditional aside, and exceptional Argentine food and wine.
TUSCANY, ITALY
A stay on the ancestral estate of Marchese di Mazzei, a visit to Siena, wild boar and fallow deer cookery and accommodations in a 14th-century castle.
NEW ZEALAND
An alpine lodge experience featuring red deer, fallow deef, tahr and chamois, paired with hands-on butchery, cookery and meals celebrating New Zealand’s extraordinary wild practices.
THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Red deer stalking in the mountains, historic excursions and evenings centered around local venison and seafood while staying in a 200-year old sporting lodge.
SOUTH AFRICA
Travel to Ikamela game reserve and experience traditional hunting on foot, open fire cookery and the landscape.
Your Questions, Answered
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The Key is available by invitation and through an application or membership inquiry. Because membership is intentionally limited, we encourage interested individuals or couples to request an invitation. Our team will follow up with membership details and next steps.
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Yes. Guest access varies by experience. Individual members receive four included places annually at Hill House dinners and wine events, while couples receive six. Additional opportunities to bring guests may be available for select events, private bookings, and travel experiences. Specific guest policies will be communicated with each experience.
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The Key is intentionally limited to a small community of members. Membership is designed to remain personal and provide meaningful access to Chef Mike, the restaurants, and the experiences surrounding them. Because membership is limited, prospective members may request an invitation and will be considered as openings become available.
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Membership may be canceled at any time for the following membership year. Because membership fees are billed at the beginning of each year, current-year membership payments are non-refundable. Canceling a membership also does not move a former member ahead of anyone currently on the waitlist should they wish to rejoin The Key in the future.
