Rye is set to raise a glass once again as the Rye Harvest Wine and Food Fair returns for its second year, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14 on Rye Cricket Salts.
This much-anticipated event brings together the very best in local food, drink, and live entertainment, offering festival-goers the chance to savour the flavours of the region while soaking up Rye’s unique charm.
This year, the fair welcomes nine incredible local vineyards to the stands: Gusbourne, Tillingham, Oxney, Mountfield, Oast Wood, Oastbrook, Woodchurch, Domaine Evremond, and Hamstreet Wines.
Join the sessions in the speakers tent to consider AI-driven solutions in rural agricultural employment, meet the brewer with a winemaker’s twist, hear a natural wine debate and explore grape phenolics of the warmest summer on record (and earliest harvest ever for many UK vineyards), listen to a farmer with food chain and low yield harvest concerns, and hear from The Rother Wine Triangle members discussing their routes to market and the phenomenal growth in UK wine tourism.
Food theatre sessions include practical guides to gut health with ferments, fish filleting and two Michelin level chefs cooking up hyper-local produce, paired with local wines.
Beyond the fair itself, visitors can enjoy four very special separately ticketed events:
- The festivities kick off with a Stand-Up Comedy Night on Friday.
- For wine lovers seeking something extra special, Charles Palmer, Domain Evremond, Gusbourne and Walgate Wines will be featured in the exclusive VIP Riedel Wine Glass Experience on Saturday, an immersive tasting session designed to showcase how the right glass enhances the flavour of exceptional wines.
- On Saturday evening, fun takes centre stage with The Harvest Hoedown - a barn dance spectacular and BBQ with high energy dance band Cut A Shine.
- And on Sunday, back by popular demand, Kitty La Roar returns with her fabulous Jazz Breakfast performance.
Festival Director, Jane Brook, is clear in her vision: “Our aim is to ensure that the investment stays right here in the region, benefiting our local community in every possible way.”
That commitment extends beyond food and drink. This year, Community Compost Solutions is helping the event become a Zero Waste event and the fair is proud to support Rye Food Bank and Wild Life Sussex Coast. Families can enjoy forest school skills and activities with Wild Life Sussex Coast, while the festival pledges a share of any profit to go to Rye Food Bank which continues to provide vital support in Rye’s community.
As tourism and hospitality are such an important part of Rye’s local economy, the fair is once again partnering with Serenata Hospitality, who return as strong supporters of the event who will host the Food Theatre, presenting a packed schedule of cooking demonstrations and masterclasses designed to inspire food lovers of all ages. Meanwhile, students from East Sussex College will gain invaluable hands-on experience, including hosting the Jazz Breakfast on Sunday, showcasing the next generation of hospitality talent.
With nine local vineyards, bountiful food offerings, a packed educational programme, food theatre, masterclasses, live music, comedy, barn dancing and jazz breakfast, the Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair is set to be a highlight of Rye’s rich cultural calendar once again.
Tickets and full programme: https://www.wineandfoodfair.events/get-tickets
Instagram: @ryeharvest
