Corks & Shells Wine Festival returns to Alameda Park Saturday

ALAMOGORDO — Southern New Mexico wine, locally grown pistachios and a full afternoon of live music are coming back to Alameda Park this weekend as Thrive in Southern New Mexico hosts its third annual Corks & Shells Wine Festival.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Alameda Park, 13th Street and White Sands Boulevard. Admission is $20, and anyone under 21 gets in free. Tickets are available at letsthrivenm.org.

All proceeds benefit Thrive in Southern New Mexico, which in turn supports nonprofits in Otero and Lincoln counties.

Six wineries on the pour list

This year's featured wineries are:

• Rio Grande Winery
• Noisy Water Winery & Cellars
• Vintage United
• Sheehan Winery
• Black Range Vineyards of Hillsboro
• Lescombes Family Vineyards, which will bring its St. Clair, 6-3-1, Soleil Mimosa and Vinos de los Muertos labels

Alongside the wine, visitors will find pistachio growers, food trucks, art and craft vendors and family activities. Organizers describe the event as a celebration of local flavor, community spirit and the agricultural richness of the region, with every ticket helping fund Thrive's work.

Live music all afternoon

Performers scheduled for Saturday include Chris Baker, Rhiannon Lace, the Doso Dirtbags and DJ Dale Young.

From inaugural event to fall tradition

Corks & Shells debuted on Oct. 19, 2024, billed by organizers as Thrive's inaugural Wine and Pistachio Festival and a showcase for Southern New Mexico's pistachio and wine industries. From the start, Thrive said it intended the festival to become an annual fixture on the third weekend of October.

The festival returned to Alameda Park on Oct. 18, 2025, expanding its hours to 11 a.m. and pairing wines from local and regional vineyards with New Mexico pistachios, along with artisan, retail and food truck vendors.

This year's festival is presented in partnership with Visit Alamogordo and PNM.

If you go

• What: Thrive in Southern New Mexico Corks & Shells Wine Festival
• When: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17
• Where: Alameda Park, 13th Street and White Sands Boulevard, Alamogordo
• Cost: $20; under 21 free
• Tickets and info: letsthrivenm.org

About Thrive

Thrive in Southern New Mexico is an Alamogordo-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has served Otero and Lincoln counties since 1964. Its mission is "to advance the common good, create lasting change and enrich lives" by drawing on the compassion and resources of the community.

The organization funds local partner agencies through a multi-year community plan built around four goals: helping kids and families lead successful lives, improving health and independence, responding to emergency and basic needs, and encouraging civic and neighborhood involvement. Festivals like Corks & Shells help pay for that work.

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