TERRALSOLE "Land Toward the Sun"
Terralsole is a place where art, music, and fine wine converge in perfect harmony. Founded by Mario Bollag, a native of Basel, Switzerland, the estate was inspired by Tuscany’s breathtaking beauty, which first captured Mario’s heart while he studied art in Florence. His passion for winemaking led to the release of his first vintage in 1990 at Il Palazzone. After selling that estate, he secured two exceptional plots in Montalcino, releasing the first Brunello under the Terralsole label in 2000. Athena Tergis arrived in 2003, bringing her shared love of fine wine and music to the estate. Nestled in the rolling hills of Montalcino, the winery is rooted in sustainable and organic practices, honoring the land’s rich biodiversity and preserving its extraordinary terroir for future generations.
Terroir, Balance & Elegance
In the world of Montalcino, where debates over the “best” terroir are fierce, our focus remains on achieving unparalleled balance and structure in every bottle. A great Brunello di Montalcino should embody elegance, seamlessly blending the aromatic allure of pure Sangiovese Grosso with a core of sweet, supple fruit. Our wines—whether Brunello, Rosso, or our exclusive IGT SuperTuscans—are all estate-grown, nurtured with meticulous care. Every vine is carefully planted to match the perfect rootstock with Montalcino’s diverse terroirs, producing wines that are truly irreplicable.
Where Passion Meets Craftsmanship
Terralsole’s estate spans 12 hectares (30 acres) of some of the most picturesque countryside in Montalcino. The property is a sanctuary, located in the southern part of the appellation, with gently rolling hills adorned with vineyards and ancient olive trees. Here, the Terralsole Villa and our state-of-the-art Cantina stand as testaments to our devotion, built from the ground up with love and care. Each vine and structure reflects the dedication and passion that translate into every bottle of wine we produce. We warmly invite you to visit Terralsole, whether to explore our grounds, taste our exceptional wines, or immerse yourself in a serene Tuscan getaway.
Meet Our Founders
Mario Bollag
Born in Basel, Switzerland, the son of a Swiss lawyer, Mario Bollag has always been a dreamer and adventurer. Although he began a path in law, he discovered his true calling in the arts and exploration. His journey took him from studying art in Florence, where he fell in love with Tuscany, to working as a ski instructor in California, and then to Haiti in the 1970s, where he worked as a cargo pilot for Haiti Air Inter. Captivated by Haiti’s vibrant art scene, he spent five transformative years there, forming close relationships with master painters. Their work continues to inspire him and features prominently on Terralsole’s wine labels.Mario released his first Brunello in 1990 with Il Palazzone, his initial estate, before selling it to pursue his vision of creating wines that express the essence of Montalcino. In 2000, he realized this dream with Terralsole’s first vintage. His love for Haitian art remains a lasting influence, and together with Athena, he founded the Te Soley Foundation, which has constructed a learning center in Haiti to support local education and community initiatives. Mario’s global travels and deep appreciation for art, combined with his passion for winemaking, continue to shape the spirit of Terralsole. Eventually, Mario’s wanderlust led him back to San Francisco, where he launched a successful tour and travel business. Yet, his heart remained in Tuscany. Driven by an unrelenting passion, he returned to Montalcino, bought an old farmhouse, and started his first winery, Il Palazzone. In 1996, he broke ground on Terralsole, the ultimate realization of his dream, where his love for winemaking, art, and music could flourish.
Athena Tergis Bollag
Athena Tergis, a fifth-generation San Franciscan, embodies a life of passion and natural living. Growing up in San Francisco, she developed an early appreciation for wine and became involved with a vineyard on the Oregon coast during high school. Her career as a world-renowned Irish fiddle player has taken her to stages across the globe. As the principal fiddler with Riverdance, she captivated audiences and continues to tour internationally. A visit to Montalcino changed her life when she met Mario, falling in love with him, the beauty of Tuscany, and the magic of Terralsole. Since joining in 2003, Athena has seamlessly blended her love of fine wine and music, playing a pivotal role at the estate. She tours regularly as a soloist with symphony orchestras and with her own ensembles, balancing her musical career with her contributions to Terralsole and raising their two daughters with Mario. Recently, Athena launched her own company, Wine Wellness, to offer education about Brunello and teach people how to incorporate it into a healthy, vibrant Italian lifestyle. As the saying goes, “Behind every great wine is a great woman.”
A Modern Renaissance in Winemaking
Terralsole stands at the forefront of Italy’s modern winemaking renaissance, blending cutting-edge technology with a deep respect for tradition. Our vineyards are planted with precision across the Pian Bossolino and Fonte Lattaia properties, each chosen for their unique microclimates and soil compositions.
- Pian Bossolino: Surrounding the Terralsole Villa, these high-elevation vineyards (1,200 feet) benefit from cooler weather and excellent ventilation. The soil is a blend of marl, limestone, and metamorphic composites, perfect for Sangiovese Grosso, which ripens evenly to produce wines with complex aromas and spice.
- Fonte Lattaia: Located at 750 feet, these vineyards face southwest and are characterized by marine deposits and clay. Here, the Sangiovese vines thrive in a warmer, drier climate, creating wines that are rich, robust, and full of character, much like the nearby Abbey of Sant’Antimo.
Mario’s vineyard management philosophy emphasizes high-density planting (5,000-7,000 vines per hectare) to yield fewer but higher-quality grapes. Careful canopy management, living soil preservation, and organic farming practices ensure that our vines produce the finest fruit.
Harvest & Winemaking: An Artful Science
Harvest at Terralsole is a labor of love, with Mario and Athena personally overseeing every step. All grapes are handpicked at peak ripeness, transported in small boxes to preserve the skins, and gently de-stemmed before being gravity-fed into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. This method allows for cold maceration, maximizing the bouquet, color, and aroma of the wines. Our Brunellos are aged in exclusive 600-liter Tonneaux oak barrels from France’s Allier forest, known for their tight grain and superior quality. We also use a variety of barrel sizes to age our Rosso and IGT wines, each carefully chosen to enhance the wine’s profile.
Wine Making Program & Custom Labels
Have you ever dreamed of making your own wine? At Terralsole, we offer a unique opportunity to become a winemaker. From managing your own vineyard plot to blending your own wine in our cantina, we customize the experience to fulfill your vision. Additionally, for life’s special moments—weddings, holidays, birthdays, or corporate events—we provide custom wine labels. Make your celebration unforgettable with Terralsole’s private label wines. Minimum orders apply. Contact us for more details and let your winemaking adventure begin.
