Grapevine downy mildew is one of the most damaging diseases for viticulture and it is currently controlled with fungicides. A cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the use of chemicals is using resistant grapevine varieties. However, all European cultivated grapevine varieties are susceptible to downy mildew, so the résistance needs to be introduced from resistant grapevines through breeding programmes aiming at obtaining durable résistance while maintaining the desired agronomical and quality traits. In the year 2000, the French Institute for Agronomical Research (INRA) got involved in a selection program with the goal of creating grapevine varieties bearing durable resistance. Joint Research Units UMR 1131 (SVQV, Colmar) and UMR 1065 (SAVE, Bordeaux) work together in a collaborative research project built around five interconnected research lines that, each one at its level, provide knowledge essential for the durable management of grapevine resistances. The first results emerging from this join project show clearly that the European populations of grapevine downy mildew are able to adapt and overcome grapevine varieties carrying monogenic resistances. These resistance-breaking risks should be taken into consideration when building selection schemes aiming at obtaining new grapevine varieties.