All hops go into bales first. Then samples are cut from some bales for testing, and the hops are certified (once Hopsdirect said they were wait for the certification before they could release). When the hops are harvested the Pelletizer is fired up and they make pellets.
Hopsdirect will have leaf hops up first, starting a little after Labor Day. They will put them up in a batched sequence depending on if the group is early maturing or late.
My best advice is to start checking, and check often until you see the ones you want. Some don't last long.