The evils caused by phylloxera, a feared insect parasite of the vine, seemed like a story of times gone by. At the end of the 19th century, its advance brought down the European wine sector, but even today the formula that was found to keep it at bay is fully valid: instead of planting the vines with Vitis vinifera –European vine suitable for making wine– directly on the ground –on a free rootstock–, they are grafted onto American rootstock –roots of non-productive American vineyards– which prevents insect attacks from being fatal.

On October 20, 1879, Official Gazette of the Province (BOP) of Girona issued a statement certifying the entry of phylloxera into the Principality from France. The statement read: "Having carried out the optional inspection provided for in Article 7 of the Law of 30 July 1879, this commission has agreed to declare that a vineyard located in the Cuello de Fornells in the municipal district of Rabós has been invaded by phylloxera and to make said declaration public.Last June, Jordi Esteve, a local winemaker, installed a memorial sculpture in his winery—the first in Alt Empordà—commemorating this historic event. It will be inaugurated next Sunday during the Alberes Free Wine Fair, known as Contraban.