International Women’s Day was celebrated last Sunday, with the first Rye Harvest Wine and Food Fair event of 2026. The festival is an all female led event, held every September, so Sunday was the ideal day to start their 2026 programme. This year’s festival is being held on 12 and 13 September 2026.
Some of Rye’s most dynamic business women gathered in town, before walking the hour and a half to Winchelsea and being greeted by Sally and Chantal Palmer at their vineyard. After a history and overview of the winery, which on this Sunday looked more like the misty planes of Northern Italy, than the rolling hills of Provence, we enjoyed their Classic Cuvée 2017. Jane Brook, the organiser of the celebration welcomed everyone, now including those who had just strolled the last arduous 20 minutes from up the road, yes I mean me!
On this special day, our lunch was prepared by Georgie Morton, the founder of georgieporgiespuddingandpie and accompanied by a 2018 Chardonnay and a 2022 Pinot Noir.
After lunch, Raquel LeBron co-founder of Rock Rose Beauty, gave hand massages and announced the many wellbeing raffle prizes, and Georgia Peck from Aubrey Halls was interviewed over a fireside chat, where she talked about her three different businesses and her plans for the future.
We all went away with flowers and a wonderful goody bag brimming with beauty and home products from Ethel Loves Me, Rye Chocolates and the Bird&Blend Tea Co.
The care, attention to detail and hospitality that had begun at 10.30am that morning, concluded at 4.00pm with a warm, giggly ride home to Rye, on the community bus…and our driver…Pat Hughes of course.
Everything about the day was positive and uplifting. Yes I did spend International Women’s Day surrounded by extraordinary women; brave wealth creators and employers. Some, pioneers in what are generally regarded as male dominated professions, some socially-minded and independent, making a living from their passions.
Yes I did make make some new friends, because generosity and collaboration was all part of the language of the day.
And yes, after a long lunch, I did hitch a lift back from Winchelsea…to Winchelsea!
Image Credits: Natasha Robinson .