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.
Travis De Winton
Operations Manager
We are delighted to have Travis join the MRE, team bringing his wealth of experience in hospitality, cellar door, winemaking and viticulture at various renowned Mornington Peninsula wineries and restaurants over the past 20 years. He is the true all-rounder, and our regular guests have been excited to see his familiar face in the cellar door.
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.