Tim & Libby Sexton
Owners & Managers
Libby and Tim met at William Angliss College in Melbourne as hotel management students. After moving to London they graduated from the Westminster College Hotel school in 1977. After marriage followed forty-year corporate careers in hospitality and tourism, working in large scale catering, events, international hotels and travel, based in London, Sydney, Korea and Melbourne. They purchased Main Ridge Estate from the original owners Nat and Rosalie White in 2015.
James Sexton
Winemaker
James completed a commerce degree at The Blue Mountains Hotel School in 2006, and then embarked on a career in leading Sydney restaurants, firstly with the Merivale group, then the renowned Sepia and Oscillate Wildly. In 2011 James was the national Electrolux Young Waiter of the Year. As a sommelier and manager, James gradually developed his wine knowledge. Since commencing as winemaker at Main Ridge Estate in 2015, James has completed a wine science degree at Charles Sturt University.
Caylene Carmody
Cellar Door / Restaurant Host
Caylene joins the team bringing hands-on cellar door hospitality experience across premium Mornington Peninsula estates. She is Wine and Spirits Education Trust qualified, with a genuine passion for sharing wine knowledge and creating warm, memorable tasting experiences. Backed by a strong management background, including over 25 years in senior leadership roles, bringing well-developed people skills, organisation, and a calm, practical approach to running teams and delivering great service.
Ben Lydford
Head Chef
Ben joined us in July 2025, bringing over 20 years of culinary experience gained from working in top hotels and winery restaurants across Australia, overseas, and here on the Mornington Peninsula. We’re gradually refreshing our menu to showcase Ben’s culinary flair.
Ben is not only passionate about food – his creativity also shines through in his artwork, which is featured in local galleries.
Main Ridge Estate team
As a small family wine business, we all wear many hats in the vineyard, winery, garden, cellar door and office, ably supported by a great team of staff and contractors.