When economic headwinds battered the Riddle family’s T-shirt printing business in Ruidoso, New Mexico, in the late 2000s, Rick Riddle and Mary Jo Piedmont faced a crossroads. Their small-town enterprise, once thriving with souvenir designs for tourists visiting the nearby Sierra Blanca peaks, struggled to stay afloat. Rather than retreat, they chose to reinvent—channeling their entrepreneurial grit into a venture that celebrated New Mexico’s identity. In 2009, they transformed their print shop into “The Cellar Uncorked”, a cozy wine bar spotlighting exclusively New Mexican wines. This marked their first step into the wine world—a pivot that would reshape their family’s legacy. 

 

The true transformation began in 2010 when their son, Jasper Riddle, then a 22-year-old with no formal winemaking experience, returned to Ruidoso. Sensing untapped potential in New Mexico’s agricultural landscape, he purchased controlling ownership of the fledgling business. “I loved the wine, but I wanted it to be something more,” Jasper recalls. His vision was audacious: to build a winery that rivaled established regions while staying rooted in New Mexico’s soil.  

Those early years were a baptism by fire. Jasper lived in a cramped apartment above the winery, often working 16-hour days. “I was broke,” he admits with a laugh, “but I loved it.” Determined to succeed, he enrolled in winemaking courses while studying vineyard management techniques suited to New Mexico’s arid climate. By 2012, the wine bar had evolved into Noisy Water Winery—a full-scale production facility named for the Rio Ruidoso (“Noisy River”), the lifeblood of their hometown.  

 Today, Noisy Water produces over 40 wines and ciders across six tasting rooms, each bottle an homage to New Mexico’s diverse terroir. Among their most unconventional creations is Besito Caliente (“Hot Little Kiss”), a chile-infused wine that encapsulates the state’s culinary soul. Born from Jasper’s obsession with Hatch green chile—New Mexico’s iconic crop—the blend balances roasted pepper heat with bright fruit sweetness. “It’s unique, it’s weird—but it works,” he says of the wine’s polarizing appeal.  

For purists, the winery’s Petite Sirah offers a masterclass in high-desert viticulture. Grown along the Rio Grande, the grape thrives under New Mexico’s intense sunlight and dramatic diurnal temperature swings. “As a grower, you’re looking for things you like to grow, but as a winemaker, you’re looking for things you like to make wine from. Petite Sirah, like Cabernet Sauvignon, checks both boxes for me here in New Mexico,” Jasper explains. Aged in French oak, the wine highlights what he calls a hidden treasure of a grape—deeply colored, robust, and versatile enough to enhance blends or stand alone.

Water scarcity looms large in Jasper’s philosophy. “Water should be at the top of everyone’s list when they think about the American Southwest,” he emphasizes. The winery leverages grapes’ drought tolerance, using drip irrigation and soil management to conserve resources. “We are hoping to teach good land stewardship and the conservation of our finite resources by showing others how we farm,” he says, framing sustainability as both necessity and mission.  

Expanding from one tasting room to six brought doubts. Critics questioned regional appeal, but Jasper’s approach proved simple, “If you have good people and a good product, and overall try to be a positive part of the community you’re in, it helps you grow and the areas you are in support you.”  Each location reflects its community—from Albuquerque’s art-filled tasting room to Las Cruces’ live music nights—embodying Jasper’s belief that creating a better New Mexico hinges on local investment.  

Jasper’s ambitions are bold: he aims to scale production and distribution while resisting outside investors.  “I want us to be a regional brand that people think of when they think of the Southwest,” he says, envisioning 100,000 annual cases within a decade. Yet his deeper goal remains unchanged: “I get to spread the love of New Mexico via a glass of wine. I am already lucky”.  

For Jasper, every bottle bridges past and future. The winery’s vertical integration—sourcing, producing, and selling locally—fuels his vision of a thriving New Mexican economy. “Farming here is a special thing,” he reflects.  “It’s hard, it’s rewarding, but it’s the thing in life I need—a connection to the soil, a connection to the people, and a connection to the state I love.”

The wines featured in the Wine Recommendations section were provided by the winery for the purpose of review. The selection and tasting of these wines were independently conducted. No compensation or incentives were provided for inclusion in the story. As always, the top priority is to provide readers with informative reporting.

Wine Recommendations

2023 Besito Caliente- presents a captivating blend of flavors that reflect its unique character. Aromas of roasted green chile and mesquite honey greet the senses, reminiscent of a New Mexican landscape. On the palate, this wine bursts with fresh golden delicious apple notes, enhanced by subtle hints of smokiness and spice. Its light body strikes a harmonious balance between sweetness and mild heat, culminating in a spicy finish that lingers delightfully.

2020 Winemaker’s Private Reserve Petite Sirah-  dazzles with an enticing bouquet of black cherry, blackberry jam, and hints of leather, complemented by notes of licorice. On the palate, it reveals robust tannins, showcasing rich flavors of dark chocolate and espresso that linger on the long finish.

2021 Cabernet Sauvignon- showcases a core of black cherry complemented by crushed black peppercorn and star anise. Its rich palate features layers of blueberry and spice supported by firm tannins.

2021 “Curtain Call” Red Blend – erupts from the glass with a bouquet of macerated blackberries, cassis, and plum. On the palate, it glides with polished tannins and a vibrant core of dark fruit, lifted by a crescendo of black pepper, tobacco, and a touch of graphite minerality. The finish lingers with a long and seductive resonance.