The institution, which is among the oldest wine-growing institutes in the world, was established in 1860 in Klosterneuburg (Lower Austria) at the initiative of Eduard Schwäger Freiherr von Hohenbruck (1800-1876), Vice Director of the k.k. Agricultural Society Vienna, in Stift Klosterneuburg as the "Lower Abbey Wine School". The overall management was held by the Prelate of the Chapter, Adam Schreck (1833-1901), while the technical management was entrusted to the first director, August-Wilhelm Freiherr von Babo August-Wilhelm (1827-1894), the inventor of the Klosterneuburg Mostgewicht.

The institute was elevated to a state educational institution in 1874, and wine-growing vocational schools were founded in Gumpoldskirchen, Krems, Mistelbach, and Retz. In 1863, it was taken over by the state of Lower Austria. In 1870, alongside the wine school as an independent institution, the Oenochemical Experimental Station was established and entrusted to Leonhard Roesler Leonhard (1839-1910). The next 30 years were marked by the struggle against Reblaus and Mehltau.

Era of Emerich Ráthay

After the departure of Freiherr von Babo, Emerich Ráthay Emerich (1845-1900) succeeded him as director of the educational institution in 1894. After his death, Leopold Weigert (1851-1916) took over as his successor. In 1902, a reorganization took place, and there was only one director responsible for both the educational and experimental institution. The...