Our Story

Main & Cherry is a story of friendships; of families forging their own paths, getting their hands dirty and creating wines that they love. Award-winning winemaker Michael Sexton produces small batches of distinctive wines, favouring Indian Runner ducks over pesticides, and working gently by hand, shovel and a small basket-press instead of high-tech machines.

The original Main & Cherry vineyard was planted in 1996, at Main Road in Cherry Gardens, nestled amidst the rolling foothills of Adelaide. Michael grew up tending the family vineyard and went on to graduate from Oenology at Adelaide University in 2003, before working many vintages, both locally and abroad.

Now, Michael owns and lives on another vineyard above the Clarendon township in the McLaren Vale wine region. The family grow their own fruit, as well as sourcing grapes from other independent vineyards throughout the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale: an honest, down to earth community built on handshake agreements and a commitment to quality. This gives Michael a rich palette of sites and soil profiles to play with at the blending table.

Michael makes wines that are vibrant and bright, with plenty of personality. They match our Mediterranean climate and rugged landscapes and pair beautifully with the local produce of the region. With this light-touch approach he is aiming for a different type of perfection: where nothing is hidden and the naturally occurring characters of the wine are celebrated, to enjoy and share with friends and family.