The meaning behind Bidja.
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The Ngiyampaa word Bidja means "friend," reflecting the brand’s spirit of coming together - whether it’s sharing a meal, celebrating milestones, or simply enjoying life with those who matter most.
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This holds personal significance for Craig Cromelin, whose grandmother was from the Ngiyampaa tribe. Her heritage and connection to language and culture are woven into the very essence of Bidja, making it a true representation of tradition and kinship.
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In First Nations culture, friendship extends beyond individuals—it encompasses connection to land, to ancestors, and to shared experiences. Bidja carries this philosophy into the world of wine, where every bottle becomes an invitation to strengthen relationships and create lasting memories.
Bidja's formation.
Bidja was born from a vision of collaboration. Bevan Mailman approached Buller Wines, a Rutherglen winery with over a century of winemaking expertise, with the idea of creating a First Nations wine brand. What followed was a partnership between five key shareholders: Buller Wines, Bevan Mailman, Kade McDonald, James Stephens, and Craig Cromelin. Craig, a co-founder of Murrin Bridge Wines—Australia’s first First Nations-owned and operated vineyard—brings his craftsmanship as both a winemaker and a storyteller, ensuring that Bidja is not just a wine, but a meaningful experience.
Coming together.
At its heart, Bidja is about coming together. It’s the wine you take to a friend’s place for dinner. It’s the bottle you open to celebrate milestones, laugh until late into the night, and reflect on moments of joy. It’s the experience of sharing something special that creates a bond.
Come to my place.
Yamma Karra, welcome.
An invitation - not to a physical location, but to a feeling. It is the warmth of a friend’s company, the joy of being welcomed, and the comfort of knowing you belong. This invitation is universal: wherever you gather, wherever friendship is celebrated, Bidja is at home.
Behind the design.
The Bidja label reflects the essence of connection and culture. Using the color palette from Jiga Jiga Paint, a First Nations collaboration with Haymes Paint, the label honors traditional storytelling while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic. Each bottle is a blend of heritage and contemporary craftsmanship, reinforcing the idea that Bidja is where past, present, and future come together.