How do you find and connect with distributors in specific geographic markets?

Finding distributors in new markets requires identifying both the right partners and the right contacts. Members share introductions directly and recommend asking for volume/format details upfront to help potential partners assess fit.

**Direct introductions via the community** — Members routinely ask for intros and email contacts in the Kindred Collective. If someone has a connection, they'll offer to make an introduction; be ready to share your volume and bottle format/size when asked.

**Sierra Madre** (worked with Haymans) — Recommended for their strong portfolio of international brands and positive working relationships; they operate across multiple markets including Europe.

**Regional wholesalers** — Smaller, specialist wholesalers exist in key markets (e.g. Germany) and can be good testing partners before scaling to larger distributors, though they may not have dark-store delivery capacity.

**Consider the product category and market specifics** — Ask what category you're in (spirits, wine, etc.) when seeking help, as distribution networks vary significantly. For example, aquavit and cocktail spritzers may have different distributor networks than still wines.

**Caveats:** The community's discussions show that finding established distributors for niche categories (craft spirits, alternative products) can be challenging. Some members note they're still building relationships with smaller regional partners rather than large distributor networks. Direct community intros are valuable but not always available for every market—persistence and specificity about your product and volumes are key.