Cloverdale, Calif.—Ulises Valdez, who came to the United States from Mexico as a teenager to pick grapes and would go on to build a successful vineyard management company and winery, died Sept. 12 at the age of 49. After working in vineyards for several years, the federal Immigration and Reform and Control Act of 1986 enabled Valdez to obtain legal residency and he used the opportunity to form a vineyard management company. Valdez's meticulous work earned him clients such as Mark Aubert, Jeff Cohn, Paul Hobbs and Jayson Pahlmeyer and Valdez and Sons Vineyard Management now oversees more than 1,000 acres of vines. In 2004, Valdez released the first vintage of his eponymous wine and opened a winery in 2010 and a tasting room in Healdsburg in 2013. In May, 2010, Valdez’ Russian River “Silver Eagle” Chardonnay was served to President Felipe Calderon of Mexico at a state dinner at the White House. Valdez is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.