Von der Heyden Yachting, a subsidiary of the international Von der Heyden Group, celebrated the official launch of the iconic Riva brand at the Grand Port of Cugó Gran Macina on May 25.
The party brought together three Riva yachts, including the 63′ Virtus Vanquish, the 44′ Rivarama Iniala Spirit and her flagship 90′ Argo NOI.
In attendance were some of Malta’s top industry leaders, the President and CEO of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Riva representative Luca Pastore.
Malta weather interviews the team and Sven von der Heyden, Riva’s main representation in Malta of the world’s most notable name in luxury yachting.
From Lake Iseo, Italy, to the Maltese Islands. Why Riva?
Oh, this question has many answers! Riva’s unique Italian charm, heritage and prestige are synonymous with the island’s enduring Mediterranean identity, history and culture, making it a perfect choice for Malta. However, in such a prevalent culture in luxury yachting, we felt Riva, a timeless emblem of modern, sophisticated elegance, was missing. Another telling and inspiring factor is Malta’s renowned love of Ferrari – the ‘Made in Italy’ equivalent of Riva, having the highest concentrations of these world famous cars in the world per capita.
With a personal love for Riva since childhood, it is both an honor and a privilege to be able to present a brand with over 180 years of experience in island yacht design and innovation.
Islands can experience what the late Carlo Riva started in Lake Iseo in 1842, just 1,600 kilometers from Malta, where it all began. Today, we see the brand navigating the islands in terms of industry collaboration, charters, and investigations into owning one of these lifetime masterpieces.
A Riva owner once said, “Riva is poetry in motion”. What makes Riva different?
From the quintessential wooden Riva Aquarama to the masterpiece Aquariva or 50m flagship, Riva’s timeless range has always been the epitome of the pinnacle culture of la dolce vita. Wherever one drops anchor or arrives with a Riva, it commands attention and arouses people’s admiration, synonymous with brands such as Ferrari, Porsche or Hermès in fashion.
With varying lengths and models from eight to 50 meters and a shared spirit of performance, safety and exclusive style, each vessel in the Riva range truly personifies the soul of this legendary brand to sublime effect.
Riva’s house in Malta. Where does Von der Heyden Yachting anchor?
SH: Our Riva fleet moors at the Grand Harbor Marina, which is also home to the group’s flagship luxury boutique hotel, Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, named after the ‘machine’ used to raise and lower the masts on sailboats .
Von der Heyden Yachting’s fleet includes its flagship NOI, which is currently the only Riva 90′ Argo available for charter throughout the Mediterranean, Riva 63′ Virtus, the Vanquish available in Malta, Amalfi Coast, Capri and Sardinia, as well as the Pershing 62′ ENCI in the Balearic Islands. Von der Heyden Yachting’s fleet will soon expand with other yachts from the Ferretti Group.
The exclusive Riva team in Malta offers a combination of bespoke buying, selling, charter and maintenance services designed explicitly for Riva yacht owners, offering exclusive services tailored to each client’s needs in terms of of yachting.
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Sleek and stylish
Emma Cassar, Riva Malta Sales Manager, describes two ships available direct from the shipyard in 2022.
RIVA 68′ Devil
A sleek profile with stylish detailing infuses this fashion-forward yacht with a fashion-focused spirit. Riva 68′ Diable sets the bar as the essential open yacht, an incredible boat that tempts and seduces. Sitting perfectly between the Riva 56′ Rivale and the Riva 76′ Bahamas – and slightly faster than both – the new Riva 68; Diable is anything you want it to be, from an ultra-chic dayboat or weekender to a super luxurious six-person cruiser. The hardtop, with its sliding sunroof and powered bimini, makes the Diable extremely versatile for a variety of conditions. Thanks to Riva’s famous hull design and shaft drive expertise, handling is sublime, with a majestic ride and impeccable seakeeping.
RIVA 48′ Dolce Riva
There are yachts that tell a familiar story and then there are those that write a whole new one, as with the Dolceriva whose thoroughly revamped design and styling opens a whole new chapter for the historic Sarnico yard. Riva’s 48′ open yacht has been designed to live aboard in consummate comfort. Futuristic design and the heritage of a legendary shipyard come together in one word – Dolceriva.
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