I would tend to agree with dipper. There is winter(fall planted) rye and spring(planted) rye. The difference is that spring rye can be planted in the spring, much like spring oats, and still produce a seedhead without overwintering. Winter rye needs to vernalize(i.e. overwinter, go dormant) before it will produce viable seed to harvest. To us, winter rye and fall rye were one in the same, not to be confused with spring rye. Maybe your seed man uses different nomenclature. Ask them if the "fall" rye they are selling needs to vernalize before producing seed, that would be the true tell on whether or not it is what you are looking for. Also you might want to ask if it is "common" rye seed(aka VNS) or a named variety like Wrens Abruzzi, Hancock, Rymin, or Aroostock. If they could answer that, it could also tell you if it needs to overwinter.