A Waterfall Doubling as a Cinema Screen Makes This Superyacht Insanely Luxurious

Quinta Essentia is undoubtedly, a memorable name for a luxury yacht. Inspired by Greek mythology, it refers to an elusive fifth element, greater than air, earth, fire, and water. And there's a catch – the vessel's exterior and interior were designed to suggest that this magical element might be wine. The explanation for that is simple. The one who commissioned this yacht more than a decade ago, Russian tycoon Valentin Zavadnikov and his daughter Valeria had a close connection to the wine industry.

Zavadnikov and his daughter reportedly owned a winery in Italy, which became the main inspiration for this highly-customized pleasure craft. The Russian mogul, also a passionate yachtsman, took delivery of a Heesen yacht at the end of 2008. The 47-meter (154 feet) luxury toy was named Celestial Hope. But it was hardly enough.

Even before the official launch, Zavadnikov allegedly commissioned a second, bigger yacht from the same prestigious builder. This would become Quinta Essentia and Hessen's flagship at the time. It took several more years, but by 2011 the sophisticated owner finally got his hands on the 180-footer (55 meters).

A year later, Quinta Essentia was a finalist in the World Superyacht Awards. It was certainly one of the most distinctive and outrageously lavish superyachts in operation. Built in full aluminum by the acclaimed Dutch shipyard, it brought together big names in the industry: Van Oossanen naval architects, Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, designer Ken Freivokh, and Michela Reverberi.

The wine theme made Quinta Essentia stand out. Its bold exterior revealed an unusual combination of Oyster White and metallic Merlot Red, a custom paint created by Awlgrip, based on a color developed by the owner together with Dobroserdov Design. As you'd expect with a custom superyacht, the same color was used for the custom limo tender made by Vaudrey Miller.

Each cabin was supposed to embody one of the elements through a specific color scheme and other décor elements. The master suite was a whimsical blend of all the colors and elements, with the added refinement of wine perfume. Yes, the original master suite onboard Quinta Essentia included a custom-made room scent inspired by the same vineyard.

The most impressive features of the master suite, however, were its balconies. This lavish room, the size of a luxury apartment, boasts full-height windows and glass balconies on each side, offering spectacular views. It was a true technical accomplishment at the time. Zavadnikov, who actively participated in the design process, specifically requested a layout allowing guests to see the water from any spot onboard, whether standing up or sitting.

The yacht itself seemed much bigger, thanks to the high ceilings and well-planned layout. The six-cabin configuration included a VIP, a twin, three doubles, and the owner's apartment. The galley was placed lower than the conventional setup, freeing up more private space for the owner.

Precious materials and exquisite, custom décor items turned every corner onboard Quinta Essentia into a luxurious cocoon. The vast main salon revealed a grand piano. The spiral glass staircase connecting the decks was a work of art – designed by Bernard Pictet, it was supposed to mimic frozen streams of water.

Quinta Essentia was just as breathtaking when it came to its outdoor spaces. It was cleverly designed to integrate a large jacuzzi on the aft main deck. But that wasn't all. A stunning curtain of water dropped into the pool from the deck above. It was a sophisticated way of ensuring privacy and also keeping a cool atmosphere. Plus, it was wide and opaque enough to double as an unconventional projection screen for movie nights.

The 2011 Heesen also flaunted an entire spa deck with a sauna, hammam, and massage room. To top things off, the vessel's custom limo tender got its own docking pool and a dedicated system for side loading. The most advanced electronics and entertainment systems ensured top-notch comfort onboard. Quinta Essentia even came with underwater cameras that sent images to multiple monitors onboard.

Like all Heesen yachts, this custom beauty also made waves with its performance. Thanks to twin MTU engines, it could hit up to 24 knots (27.6 mph/44.4 kph) despite its considerable size.

Known as the original Quinta Essentia, this Heesen superyacht quickly changed hands. It became Quite Essential, and then After You. Guests with deep pockets had the chance to experience lavish trips onboard because it operated as a charter yacht for a long time, with weekly rates of nearly $500,000. Meanwhile, the wine-themed saga continued with another Quinta Essentia, an Admiral superyacht sporting the same custom color scheme.