Dolce Vita on the High Seas
And nautical masterpieces fit for kings and queens
The calm that followed a devastating storm on Lake Iseo, a picturesque body of water in northern Italy, nestled between Bergamo and Brescia, has endured for generations for the Riva family.
In 1842, a series of storms damaged numerous boats, leaving local fishermen stranded. Then came a skilled carpenter, newly arrived from Lake Como, whose talent and determination would change the course of nautical history. Pietro Riva, founder of what would become the world’s most celebrated boatbuilding brand, repaired countless vessels, restoring both livelihoods and spirits. He quickly earned the trust and admiration of the local community, paving the way for the opening of the Sarnico shipyard that same year.
His son, Ernesto, took the family business in a new direction, introducing a sense of style and glamour alongside wooden-hulled motorboats powered by internal combustion engines. His visionary grandson, Carlo, pushed the ambition even further, transforming Riva into an international sensation.
What followed was a success story that transcended the world of boating, embodying a way of life we’ve come to call dolce vita on the high seas. Colorful, joyful, dazzling, authentic and unmistakably Italian, it reflects the spirit of Lake Iseo, Riva’s birthplace. This is a corner of Italy that feels like a well-kept secret, with charming villages, family-run restaurants and countless opportunities to raise a glass as the sun sets over the water.
In 2001, Carlo brought the family brand to an entirely new level when Riva joined the prestigious portfolio of the Ferretti Group, the global leader in luxury yachting. Within this ecosystem, the brand’s creations have continued to evolve, shaped in part by a longstanding creative partnership with designer Mauro Micheli. Having begun
working with the Riva family 25 years ago at the Sarnico shipyard, Micheli continues to oversee the brand’s design through Officina Italiana Design, alongside his business partner, Sergio Beretta.
“Our goal is to create boats that are elegant and timeless. That’s why we don’t chase trends at any cost,” Beretta explains.
Indeed, a Riva boat represents the promise of exceeding even the most discerning expectations of elegance, prestige and perfection. That philosophy has been there from the beginning, starting with the Ariston, introduced in 1950 and often described as a luxury automobile on water. The Florida followed in 1952, while the Aquarama,
the undisputed classic of classics, made its debut in 1962 and went on to captivate generations of boating enthusiasts.
The Aquarama became to the sea what the Porsche 911 is to the open road: an enduring icon. Its devotees included cultural legends such as Brigitte Bardot and Frank Sinatra, whose presence only amplified the boat’s legendary status.
Since 2001, Riva’s launch schedule has accelerated, with at least one new model introduced almost every year. Yet certain signatures remain constant, including the brand’s unmistakable Aquamarine detailing, a distinctive shade somewhere between green and cyan that has become one of its defining visual hallmarks.
The brand’s growing ambitions eventually outpaced the capacity of its historic Sarnico shipyard, a striking 36,000-square-meter facility protected for its architectural significance. Today, Riva operates two additional shipyards: La Spezia, spanning 28,000 square meters, and Ancona, with an impressive 80,000 square meters.
These are the birthplaces of the motorboats, yachts and superyachts that glide across the dreams of many and the everyday lives of a select clientele captivated by the Riva universe. That lifestyle extends well beyond the water, finding expression in exclusive home accessories, elegant lounges in some of the world’s most coveted destinations, including Venice, Paris and Monaco, and even an entire residential building in Fort Lauderdale, America’s Yacht Capital.
And so, more than 180 years after Pietro Riva first began repairing fishing boats on the shores of Lake Iseo, the family’s remarkable legacy continues to flourish. In 2024, that legacy reached another milestone with the unveiling of the Riva 70 Metri.
“This superyacht is a manifesto of style, design and innovation. It will lead our extraordinary fleet of new masterpieces into the future, bringing a sense of majestic elegance to the world’s oceans,” says Alberto Galassi, CEO of the Ferretti Group.