Deadline for vineyard grubbing applications extended to November 3

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of Castilla-La Mancha has extended the deadline to apply for vineyard grubbing-up for the 2026/2027 wine campaign until November 3, 2026, which initially concluded on October 15. The decision is formalized through Order 144/2026, of October 7, published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM) No. 197, of October 14, 2026, within section I of general provisions (reference 2026/7341). The regulation modifies Order 202/2018, of December 28, which regulates the wine production potential in the autonomous community.

The regulatory framework: from the state Royal Decree to the regional order

At the national level, Royal Decree 1338/2018, of October 29, which regulates wine production potential, constitutes the basic regulation on the matter. Article 14, paragraph 1, empowers the autonomous communities to set the deadline for vineyard grubbing-up applications.

In exercise of that competence, Castilla-La Mancha approved Order 202/2018, of December 28, from the then Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development, which set the deadline between August 1 and October 15 of each wine campaign. The new Order 144/2026 introduces an express exception for the 2026/2027 cycle.

The text is approved under the powers attributed to the Regional Ministry by Decree 30/2025, of April 29, on structure and competencies, and after granting a hearing to the most representative agricultural organizations of the sector.

A campaign conditioned by restructuring aid

The stated reason for the extension is the uncertainty facing winegrowers. The final resolution of the call for aid for the restructuring and conversion of vineyards for 2026 will not be known until mid-October, as acknowledged by the order itself.

That call is governed by Order 35/2025, of March 10, which specifies the regulatory bases for the granting and management of aid within the framework of the 2024-2027 wine sector intervention, and was activated through the Resolution of 07/01/2026, from the General Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock, for its execution in 2027.

The chaining of both procedures is the key to the problem: many grubbing-up applications depend on whether the restructuring files are ultimately approved. Without knowing the result, winegrowers cannot decide whether to grub up their plots.

What exactly changes and who it affects

The order modifies paragraph 1 of article 12 of Order 202/2018, which is now worded as follows:

• General rule: grubbing-up applications are submitted between August 1 and October 15 of each campaign.
• Exception for 2026/2027: the deadline ends on November 3, 2026.
• Method of submission: via Annex V of the regulatory order.
• Obligated parties: winegrowers intending to grub up vineyard areas in Castilla-La Mancha.

In practice, the extension provides 19 additional calendar days of leeway compared to the ordinary calendar, an interval that covers the publication of restructuring resolutions and allows both decisions to be coordinated.

Impact on the sector

The measure responds to a demand from the sector and prevents winegrowers from having to apply for grubbing-up blindly, before knowing if they obtain financing to replant or convert. With the new calendar, Castilla-La Mancha aligns the closing of the grubbing-up period with the resolution of the grants, reducing the risk of premature applications or forced waivers. The order bears the signature of Counselor Julián Martínez Lizán and was issued in Toledo on October 7, 2026.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 197, of October 14, 2026, section I (General Provisions), page 36460 (official reference: 2026/7341).