McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch - Alamogordo, New Mexico - Giant Pistachio, Atomic Brittle, and Tall Tales

McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch is easy to spot on the drive toward Tularosa from Alamogordo. Its entrance is marked by the world's largest pistachio nut, towering three stories above the ranch-style country store near the parking lot - a memorial to ranch founder and author Thomas Michael McGinn (1929~2007), erected in 2008 by his son Timothy.

This is the home of Pistachio Tree Ranch Atomic Hot Chili Pistachio Brittle, two-time winner of a Scovie Award for best fiery foods. The ranch itself covers 111 acres and includes vineyards for the Arena Blanca Winery as well as groves of pistachio trees.

The "Log Store with the Blue Roof'' has become a local landmark, drawing visitors from far and wide for nuts, candies, jams, wine, gift items, and cookbooks. New Mexico food specialties, such as Anasazi beans, gourmet jalapeso mustard, and jalapeso catsup are available, too. And the store also sells copies of the late McGinn's science fiction novels - four of them in all - detailing the adventures of a space alien baby raised by New Mexico pistachio farmers.

McGinn's Country Store - Pistachio Tree Ranch - Arena Blanca Winery is located at 7320 U.S. Highway 54/70 North, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310. The operating hours are from 9am to 5pm on Monday through Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sundays. Wine tastings and sales start at noon on Sunday.