The time to heading of Sangaste winter rye (Secale cereale L.) decreased to approximate that of a spring cultivar (Prolific) as the chilling period was extended from 1 to 8 wk. An increased accumulation in the total alcohol-soluble amino acids and amides occurred during the initial 3 wk of chilling and was followed by a decline in both cultivars. The early accumulation was more pronounced in Sangaste than in Prolific and the major differences between the two were in the higher amount of proline, alanine, and glutamine in the winter cultivar. After 3 wk of chilling, Sangaste attained a much higher level of these than its visually comparable seedlings that were not chilled.