Congratulations! You have secured one of 3,000 New Mexico wine passports and already completed step one. A summer of wine country exploration and celebration awaits you. Please sign and date your official document and let the adventure begin.
Follow the instructions outlined in the Corks & Canyons Passport and receive one free admission to the Corks & Canyons Wine Festival this October in Taos. We will be announcing this event mid-July, stay tuned for details and exciting updates. Below are the rules for participation.
- Visit any five participating wineries (listed below).
- Spend $10 or more for a wine tasting or a bottle of wine.
- Collect five stamps and upload your completed passport.
- If passport is submitted after Oct 1st, you will receive a ticket for the next available New Mexico Wine event.
We invite you to explore Highway 68, to experience the adventure of outdoor recreation, explore our history, and enjoy the flavors of Northern New Mexico. Below we have a few suggestions to consider when planning your Highway 68 wine excursion.
If you would like us to mail you a Corks & Canyons Passport, or have questions about this program, please email ExecDirector@NMwine.com.
PARTICIPATING WINERIES
Black Mesa Winery
1502 NM-68, Velarde, NM 87582
https://www.blackmesawinery.com
El Alamo Winery
127 Co Rd 41, Alcalde, NM 87511
https://www.elalamowinery.com
Embudo Valley Vineyards
2221 NM-68, Embudo, NM 87531
https://www.embudovalleyvineyards.com
La Chiripada Winery
HIghway 75 Rd 1119 #8, Dixon, NM 87527
https://lachiripada.com
Vivac Winery
2075 NM-68, Dixon, NM 87527
https://vivacwinery.com
EXPLORE THE RIO GRANDE CANYON ALONG HIGHWAY 68
Northern New Mexico, along the Rio Grande River, is a wild and wonderful destination, and one of the most unique grape growing regions in the world. We invite you to join us on Highway 68, where wilderness and wine intersect. Your Corks & Canyons Passport will reward you for exploring our region and the wineries along your journey. Your safety is our primary concern, so please consider a designated driver for your winery tour and always drink responsibly.
Highway 68 happens to be one of the highest grape growing regions in the world, with nearly 30 vineyards ranging from 5,900 to 6,300 feet elevation. In the world of fine wine, higher elevation means the vines are closer to the sun. The intensity of the light is magnified, and the grape reaches full maturity despite the altitude and cool high-desert nights. These conditions make for exceptional wines that will captivate your attention and entertain your taste buds.
Driving from Taos into the Rio Grande canyon is a dramatic way to begin your adventure, as you descend from the plateau above into the gorge. This section of the Rio Grande valley is a fruit basket, surrounded by mesas that retain the heat, protect the fruit from damaging winds, and channel the energy of the mighty river that flows through this rugged landscape.
Grapes have been grown in this valley for generations and New Mexico’s oldest “official” winery is La Chiripada Winery, located in the heart of the Dixon community. Family run for 48 years and counting, this quaint white tasting room surrounded by a tidy vineyard is perfectly picturesque. Be sure to grab a burrito/sando/pizza or some snacks at the Dixon Coop marketplace in town.
One of the newest wineries in the valley, Embudo Valley Vineyards, is located in a beautifully restored home along Highway 68, next door to the wildly fun rafting outfitters, New Mexico River Adventures. After a day of rafting, you deserve to relax with a glass of wine on the porch.
Along the banks of Highway 68 you will find petroglyphs and markings on stone that date back thousands of years, visual depictions that tells stories longer than time. Black Mesa Winery in Velarde serves a variety of vintages from vineyards and orchards located in their village. Local farmers deliver apples for cider, or grapes for wine, depending on the time of harvest.
If you are hungry, stop at Sugars for a burger or burrito, or Zuly’s Café for New Mexican, but always check their hours before going into the canyon, where there is limited cell signal. For more roadside memorabilia from another famous Highway, stop at the Rt. 66 Museum and step back in time.
Just up the road is Vivac Winery, offering one of the most iconic valley views from their vineyard and tasting room. Just off the edge of the property runs the Embudo Creek, a beautiful year-round stream that adds additional atmosphere to your tasting experience. Order some of their exquisite homemade chocolates to enjoy with your glass of wine on the patio by the vineyard.At the mouth of the gorge, as the valley opens towards Santa Fe, the historic farms in Alcalde have been growing fruit since 1705, and the vines and cottonwoods along this section are particularly healthy. El Alamo Winery boasts the largest cottonwood tree in New Mexico, located both in their back yard, and on their labels.
Wine Passport Terms and Conditions
Must be 21 to participate. Only one Corks & Canyons Passport ticket redemption per person. The Corks & Canyons Passport is intended to inspire exploration and adventure in Northern New Mexico. The same individual may not redeem multiple passports in a calendar year. This passport does not guarantee any services, product availability, discounts or perks beyond the redemption of a 2025 wine festival ticket.
1. Eligibility
Participants must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Valid government-issued photo identification will be required at each participating tasting room. The Corks & Canyons Passport is non-transferable and may only be used by the registered participant.
2. Passport Use
The Wine Passport is valid only during the specified promotion dates: (June 1 to Oct 1). Only one stamp or signature will be issued per passport, per location, per visit.
Lost or stolen passports will not be replaced or refunded.
3. Rewards and Redemption
Participants who gather 5 stamps are eligible for a 2025 Corks & Canyons Festival. Passports must be uploaded by 11:59pm on October 1 and proof of passport completion must be included. Passports uploaded after October 1st will be notified if we are able to provide you with a Corks & Canyons Festival ticket. Rewards have no cash value and are not exchangeable or transferable.
4. Conduct and Responsibility
Please drink responsibly. Wineries reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Event organizers and participating wineries are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage incurred during participation.
5. Modifications and Cancellations
The organizers reserve the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Wine Passport program at any time without notice due to unforeseen circumstances or force majeure events. Individual winery participation is subject to change without prior notice.
6. Privacy
By registering or using the New Mexico Wine Passport, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information for program administration, communication, and marketing purposes.