In the crystalline waters of Lake Iseo, where the Alpine foothills create a stunning backdrop against the Italian sky, a special reunion has been taking place this week. The Sebino team has returned to these storied shores to film the magnificent new Bellini yacht, the Astor 36 – but this was far more than just a product shoot.
A Homecoming of Sorts
For Oliver Lanza, founder of Sebino Yachts, this filming expedition represented something of a homecoming. Growing up spending summers on the shores of Lake Iseo, Oliver’s childhood was intertwined with the Bellini family and their legendary boat-building heritage. Those early memories of watching them launch beautiful restored mahogany boats would later inspire the formation of Sebino Yachts as the exclusive UK dealer for their Italian masterpieces.
“Walking back into the Bellini workshop after all these years felt like stepping back in time, but with a beautiful evolution,” Oliver shared during a moment between filming sequences. “The same commitment to excellence remains, but now there’s this remarkable blend of heritage craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation.”
Generations of Excellence
The Tide media team spent considerable time with two generations of the Bellini family – Romano, and his son, together, painted a vivid picture of a family whose identity is inseparable from the waters of Lake Iseo.
Romano, still charismatic and sharp, recounted the company’s transition from crafting classic wooden boats to developing the modern yachts that now bear the family name. “We didn’t just change materials,” he explained, his hands gesturing expressively as cameras captured his every word. “We evolved our philosophy to embrace new technologies while never abandoning the soul of what makes a Bellini craft special – that feeling when you’re aboard that can’t be measured or quantified.”
The Astor 36: Where Heritage Meets Innovation
The star of the shoot was undoubtedly the Astor 36, Bellini’s newest creation that embodies their “whispered luxury” philosophy. With its clean lines and intelligent use of space, the yacht makes a statement without shouting – exactly the balance that the discerning British market appreciates.
As the cameras captured the yacht cruising across Lake Iseo, Oliver’s family joined the shoot, experiencing firsthand the joy that the Astor 36 is designed to facilitate. His children quickly made themselves at home on board, demonstrating the intuitive layout that makes the yacht perfect for family gatherings.
“What we’re really selling isn’t just a boat,” Sophie Lanza explained as she guided guests
through the vessel’s thoughtful features. “It’s those precious moments with family and friends, conversations that flow easily in these beautifully designed spaces, memories created against breathtaking backdrops. The Astor 36 simply facilitates these experiences in an exceptional way.”
Artistry in Motion
One of the most fascinating aspects captured during filming was the Bellini family’s deep commitment to artistic collaborations. The company has pioneered partnerships with renowned international artists, bringing unique artistic elements to each vessel.
“A Bellini yacht should stir something in you the way a beautiful painting does,” Battista explained while showing the Tide team through their collection of artist collaborations. “It’s about creating an emotional response, not just an appreciation of technical specifications.”
The film crew spent considerable time documenting these artistic elements, from custom finishings to integrated art pieces that make each Bellini yacht uniquely personal to its owner.
From Italian Lakes to British Waters
Throughout the week, the conversation repeatedly returned to how the Italian heritage of Bellini translates to the British market. The “Casa Bellini” concept that Sebino is introducing to the UK aims to bring the essence of Italian lake life to British waters.
“The British boating enthusiast has always appreciated craftsmanship and heritage,” Oliver noted during a sunset interview on the deck of the Astor 36. “What we’re doing is providing a direct connection to one of Italy’s most storied boating families, with all the service and support expected in the UK market.”
Capturing the Intangible
For the Tide media team, the challenge wasn’t just filming a beautiful yacht in a stunning location – it was capturing the intangible elements that make the Bellini-Sebino partnership special. Director Tom Mongomary-Swan described it as “filming the invisible threads that connect generations, cultures, and passions.”
Those connections became most evident during the more relaxed moments – an impromptu toast on the aft deck as the sun dipped behind the mountains, Oliver an Sophie reminiscing about their first visit together to the Lake for Sophie to meet Olivers parents.
Looking Ahead
As the filming wrapped and the team reviewed footage of the Astor 36 gliding across Lake Iseo with the Bellini factory visible in the background, there was a sense that they had captured something more meaningful than marketing content.
They had documented a legacy in motion – the continuing story of a family that has shaped the boating industry for over 60 years, and the new chapter being written as these vessels find their way to British shores through the passion and dedication of the Sebino team.
The content created during this week will soon be shared with the UK market, offering a window into not just the exceptional craftsmanship of the Astor 36, but the rich heritage and authentic relationships that stand behind every Bellini yacht. For the discerning British boating enthusiast, this isn’t just about acquiring a premium vessel – it’s about becoming part of a continuing story of excellence, passion, and “whispered luxury” that began on the shores of a beautiful Italian lake decades ago.
The complete video series documenting the Bellini heritage and showcasing the new Astor 36 will be available on the Sebino Yachts website and social media channels starting next month. Contact the Sebino team to arrange a private viewing of the Astor 36 at our Christchurch “Casa Bellini” showroom.