Bristol’s biggest end of year ball: The history behind Winestock

The end of another academic year at Bristol Univeristy can only mean one thing: Winestock is approaching.

As the ball enters its fifth year celebrating all things formal and wine, we’ve worked alongside co-founder and CEO Jasper Williamson to share his story on how and why Winestock came to be.

Winestock is taking place this weekend, May 16- 18, for all years to enjoy the celebration of formal attire and unlimited wine on Clifton Downs – with tickets almost sold out across all days of this year’s events, it’s sure to be one to remember.

Why was Winestock set up and how?

Jasper is a philosophy graduate from the University of Bristol. Whilst an undergraduate student he was introduced to the Bristol Wine Society, which involved wine tasting and some fun, educational advice for beginners. Jasper said: “When I joined, the tastings were great, but my first impression was that they felt too exclusive. It made me think, this could be so much more fun if everyone had access, so why don’t they?”

He knew he could improve this experience, which led to him becoming co-president for the Wine Society with old school friend, Riki. Their mindset and passion for the society made “it more enjoyable, accessible and exciting”, meaning it quickly became the biggest social group at the university.

Jasper still thought there was room for it to go bigger. He added: “As our events gained popularity, we soon realised that they could be bigger. We asked ourselves why there wasn’t an End-of-Year Ball that could bring everyone together in the same way, and after asking around, it turned out it was because nobody had tried to do it.

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“So what started as wine-focused events for a couple of hundred students evolved into a full blown black tie festival, catering to thousands and giving them the end-of-year ball that they’d never forget.”

Before graduating, Jasper was offered a job in importing and selling wines to private buyers. However, after seeing the possibility for future university wine formals, he declined this job offer and created WokeWines: “We hit the ground running with little experience but all the passion to make it work.”

What makes Winestock special?

There is a great variety of music played by students at Winestock. Credit: Abraham Dein, Tristan Micklem and Natalia Alejarra.

Winestock is an event where conscious enjoyment is paired with inclusivity. Jasper admits his team has tasted thousands of wines over seven years to make the drink as curated as possible.

He says: “We’re creating something where everyone can enjoy dressing up, eating amazing food, drinking delicious wine with spectacular entertainment, and ultimately, create an experience by being together in this stunning event.

“It’s not about being formal and following the ‘rules’ of how black-tie events should be; it’s about enjoying every element of it as it unfolds, surrounded by people, both staff and guests, who want to experience the same thing.”

What goes into organising behind the scenes?

The Winestock team is created of current and former students, where students outnumber graduates on the organisational team 12 to one.

Thousands of people apply to work at the festival(s) every year, with Jasper and the team hiring about 600 students across a few days, especially increasing this year with the first Winestock London.

The large team is needed not only to secure the site and test the wine, but to calculate logistics and so many other bizarre components that no one else sees, including lightening and tornado contingencies. “We’re running a company here, and it’s the tiny details that nobody sees us painstakingly strategising over that makes Winestock such a great experience for everyone, our staff included. They use their creativity, intelligence and tenacity to make it an event they want to go to too.”

Jasper adds: “Sometimes it can be scary to organise, but when you see thousands of people having the best night of their lives or when someone tells you that they fell in love at Winestock, it makes all the hard work and stress that our team undergoes worth it.”

What advice would you give to students who want to start their own business?

It’s safe to say that Jasper and his team have created a very successful brand with great popularity among Bristol Uni students. After pouring blood, sweat and tears into his business, his advice is invaluable for others looking to do the same. He said, “You have to have a good ‘why?’ Ask yourself, what’s the reason you want to do this? Are you truly passionate about it? Will it really make a significant difference? Loads of people will doubt you and tell you you’re crazy for doing it, but you’re going to be able to manifest it, as long as you maintain the belief in the why.”

He added that it’s important to recognise gaps in the market, or places that aren’t fully satisfying customer demand – this is crucial to focus on, as you’re on a path to solving an underserved sector.

It can’t always be a one-man show, either. Jasper said: “I have been blessed to be able to work with some brilliant, tenacious and ingenious people, and talent spotting those great minds and bringing them together is the main job. To be challenged by these people, problem solving with them and letting their talent inspire and drive me is a pleasure, especially when the goal is fulfilling a bizarre and never-ending utilitarian mission: to make as many people as happy as possible, as fast as possible. In absurdist terms, that’s all that Winestock really is!”