An Italian story of wood, craftsmanship, tradition, and discreet luxury sails once again under the Bellini Yacht name
In the world of yachting, the name Bellini Nautica carries a special emotional resonance. Located on the shores of Lake Iseo, this family boatbuilding workshop has, for decades, been more than a place where boats are repaired and restored. It has become a sanctuary where the history of some of the most beautiful wooden vessels ever built is preserved.
A History That Smells of Mahogany and Varnish
It all began in 1960, when the founder, Battista Bellini, laid the foundations of a company that would become synonymous with excellence on Lake Iseo. In a former silk mill in Clusane, Battista began building wooden boats under the family name, and in just over a decade, around 700 boats were built. Many of them still sail on lakes around the world, while some have returned home as part of a living heritage that the company preserves with particular care.
Yet the key figure behind the identity we know today was his son, Romano Bellini. Romano turned his passion into one of the world’s most important collections of vintage Riva vessels, while Bellini Nautica became a global center for the restoration of these “water sculptures.”
For decades, the masters of this shipyard have brought old models such as the Riva Aquarama and Riva Ariston back to their former glory, treating every piece of wood as part of a historical monument. This dedication to detail and artisanal perfection made them guardians of the heritage of Carlo Riva.
Back to the Roots: The Grandson Who Brought Production Back
After years focused exclusively on restoration and the sale of premium brands, the family, under the leadership of the third generation – Romano’s son, Battista Bellini, named after his grandfather, the founder – decided to take a bold step forward. Driven by the desire to see the family name once again placed on the hull of a new vessel, Battista initiated the launch of in-house production under the Bellini Yacht brand.
That move carried both business and emotional weight. It marked a return to the identity of boatbuilders who create something new, drawing on decades of experience gained through the restoration of some of the world’s most demanding wooden vessels.
Astor: A Bridge Between Two Eras
The Astor model occupies a central place in this renewed phase. In the history of the House of Bellini, the name Astor carries special weight. It was once an iconic wooden model that graced the lakes in the middle of the last century, a symbol of elegance and the dolce vita style.
Today’s Astor 36, together with the sport-oriented Astor 38 PISTA, is not a mere replica of an old wooden boat, but its spiritual reinterpretation for the 21st century. While the original Astor represented the height of wooden craftsmanship of its time, the new Astor uses cutting-edge materials and contemporary design, while preserving the same philosophy: uncompromising luxury and a sense of exclusivity. The connection with the past remains clear: the lines of the new Astor discreetly evoke the elegance of earlier times, while the finish reveals the same hand of craftsmanship that spent decades varnishing the finest mahogany.
Bellini Nautica shows that the future can rest on a new reading of the past. From the restoration of nautical heritage to the vision of contemporary yachts, this boatbuilding family continues to write some of the most beautiful chapters in Italian yachting.
For buyers in the region, this Italian story now has a clear address through Croatia Yachting, the regional partner of Bellini Yacht, and Yachting One, the sister company covering the markets of Serbia and Montenegro. Through this regional connection, more than a contemporary model arrives on the Adriatic: family heritage, measured design, discreet luxury, and a character that sets Bellini Yacht apart from passing trends.
