The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has detected the first signs of mildew in the Montilla-Moriles vineyards, a finding that occurred around April 20. This discovery is part of the 42nd edition of the 'Pedro Cabezuelo' Competition, a traditional event in the province of Córdoba.
According to reports from the Andalusian Phytosanitary Alert and Information Network (RAIF), the rainfall recorded during the week of April 6 was crucial for the fungus's development. These rains, which in some areas of the province reached between 30 and 55 liters per square meter, created the ideal biological conditions for infection, with more than 10 liters per square meter and average temperatures above 10ºC.
The identified spots are already in the sporulation phase. Experts have pointed out that the Cordovan vineyard was in an advanced phenological state, with visible clusters and a vegetative canopy in full growth, making it susceptible to this initial attack. Although this first infection required significant rainfall, RAIF warns that future infections could occur with milder conditions, such as a simple two-hour spray.
“"The preventive action of winegrowers is key, especially after the millionaire losses suffered in the previous campaign."
This official confirmation comes after weeks of intense vigilance by winegrowers, who still remember the substantial losses from the 2025 campaign. Agricultural organizations had already reported on preventive treatments implemented by many professionals to avoid a situation similar to last year's. The farmers' fear was justified by the high inoculum that remained in the soil after the fungus's virulence in the previous season. In addition to mildew, the sector is attentive to other threats such as powdery mildew, favored by high environmental humidity, and the presence of pests such as snails or acarosis.
Given the appearance of these first symptoms, the Junta de Andalucía has recommended that winegrowers apply preventive or curative measures immediately, based on the presence of symptoms in their plots and strictly following the instructions of the technical experts responsible for each area.
