July was an exciting month for Passport Destilados as we had the honor of participating in the Feria del Mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico. Invited by the Secretary of Economic Development, we were part of the "Rueda de Negocios," a professional networking event where we met with a new producer of mezcal every 30 minutes. In addition to mezcal producers, we also connected with industry professionals and makers of various artisanal products, including an all-natural cosmetics line, coffee growers, honey producers, and food product creators, all eager to enter the American food and beverage market.
A glimpse of our packed agenda:
Monday, July 22:
- Demez
- Destileria Zurto
- Angel Cruz Robles
- Agricola Casa Parada
- Mezcal 5 Elementos
- Mezcales Conciencia
- Fernando Jimenez Gonzalez
- EJEMSKY Entertainment S.A. de C.V.
- Jose Alberto Hernandez Martinez
- Productores Magueyeros de Agave Azul de los Valles de Tlacolula
- Envasadora de Mezcal el Alebrije S de RLMI
Tuesday, July 23:
Wednesday, July 24:
Thursday, July 25:
Friday, July 26:
Significant Moments & Discoveries
During our time at the Feria del Mezcal, we encountered several significant moments. One of the most impactful was hearing stories from producers who had been exploited by intermediaries charging exorbitant fees for services that were either unnecessary or free. This highlighted the critical need for a trusted partner to help these producers navigate the export process without falling victim to price gouging and exploitation.
We also realized the importance of our role when many producers shared that they have retailers ready to carry their products but lack an importer to connect them to distributors. That's where Passport Destilados comes in. We are currently compiling a catalog of all the export-ready brands we met with at the Feria del Mezcal to showcase their offerings.
We are also thrilled to announce that the Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Oaxaca provided a grant to support our travel and lodging costs, enabling us to offer our vital import and distribution services to these small-batch maestros.
What's Next?
Who are our favorites? Which brands will we choose to include in our portfolio and introduce to the market in Arizona? We will be making that announcement very soon! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to bring the best of Oaxaca's mezcal to you.
Special Thanks
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to several key individuals and organizations who made our participation in the Feria del Mezcal possible:
JB Spirits: Thank you for being a vital conduit between our company in the USA and the Secretary of Economic Development in the state of Oaxaca.
The Secretary of Economic Development in Oaxaca: We are grateful for your gracious hospitality and for going above and beyond to connect us with these small-batch labels.
Mezcal Mama Nabani: Your time outside of the Feria to introduce us to your mezcal and share your story was invaluable. We admire your holistic approach to supporting rural indigenous communities that produce mezcal, create handicrafts, and art.
Nacho and Don Ignacio with Mezcal Meztlan and Con Todo el Alma: Thank you for taking us on a tour of your Palenque and sharing your family's heritage of mezcal production with us.
Jared Castro: Our go-to bartender in Oaxaca and Mexico City, your support and expertise are always appreciated.
Beer Breweries: To the breweries we sampled and talked to, we are excited to help you prepare for export from Mexico and import into the USA, so you too can enter the American food and beverage market.
We look forward to continuing our work with these incredible partners and bringing more of Mexico's rich heritage and craftsmanship to the world.
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