Distributors.... sigh.

[Brent_C_l_a_y_t_o_n]

Good to hear that working with Erik is working out for you David!

[William_Gladstone]

I can kind of understand that distributors don’t respond to emails from wineries reaching out. Kinda.

But.

When they reach out to you and you send samples and then nobody responds? You send little hint emails eventually, “did shipment arrive?” or “did you get a chance to try the wines?” and still crickets.

Such strange behavior. How are they then with their retailers or customers?

Hey Adam, I am picking up this thread again because I have some good news to share. I decided to try a small national wine consulting group to find distributors and can now report that it has definitely worked well. The person assigned to me (Alexandra) has contacted and dogged dozens of distributors since August; she arranged for samples to be sent to 8 or so; and I am starting to see concrete results (one for TN, one for the DC/VA/MD region, and another on-the-cusp deal for PA/NJ/NY/DE). The group is Somlyay and I can give you Eric’s contact if it’s not on the website. The cost was $2,500 up front (for at least three states), and then they get 10% of the first PO for each deal. That’s it. I just knew I would drop the ball during harvest and it’s been great to have the extra support. Plus my cold calls and e-mails were getting nowhere, just like your experience related in the OP! Cheers!

Congrat’s, nice to hear of your successful efforts!

[Eugene_Bayani]

I can kind of understand that distributors don’t respond to emails from wineries reaching out. Kinda.

But.

When they reach out to you and you send samples and then nobody responds? You send little hint emails eventually, “did shipment arrive?” or “did you get a chance to try the wines?” and still crickets.

Such strange behavior. How are they then with their retailers or customers?

Hey Adam, I am picking up this thread again because I have some good news to share. I decided to try a small national wine consulting group to find distributors and can now report that it has definitely worked well. The person assigned to me (Alexandra) has contacted and dogged dozens of distributors since August; she arranged for samples to be sent to 8 or so; and I am starting to see concrete results (one for TN, one for the DC/VA/MD region, and another on-the-cusp deal for PA/NJ/NY/DE). The group is Somlyay and I can give you Eric’s contact if it’s not on the website. The cost was $2,500 up front (for at least three states), and then they get 10% of the first PO for each deal. That’s it. I just knew I would drop the ball during harvest and it’s been great to have the extra support. Plus my cold calls and e-mails were getting nowhere, just like your experience related in the OP! Cheers!

I have been hearing great reviews in regards to Erik/Somlyay! Thank you for sharing David!