The nursery underwent a long development, during which the vineyards were planted, cultivars maintained and new cultivars introduced. The number of grafted rootstocks reached nearly 1.2 million in the 1980s. The breeding of cultivars was based on the laws of heredity discovered by Johann Gregor Mendel, as well as the knowledge of agricultural innovator Christian Carl André, who also became a patron of the nursery. Maintenance cultivation was begun in 1943 and the breeding of new varieties began in 1953. Work began on crossing Muller Thurgau with Red Traminer, which created a new variety called Pálava. Other new breeding began in 1960 with the aim of creating a new cultivar, today known as André. Other varieties originating at the nursery include Aurelius and Agni.