Our Story

The Wholly Story

Farming in the blood since the 1970s — and turning fresh, free-range milk into artisan gelato since 2018.

As fresh as can be

From the parlour to the scoop

Wholly Gelato has been going for 7 years — but reflecting on that journey is to only acknowledge half the story. The tale really begins when the Hobbs family moved to Elmore in the 1970s, commencing the family farming operation now carrying through into its third generation.

And so Wholly Gelato began, borne out of an old oil shed, producing artisan ice cream a handful of yards away from the parlour where the cows are milked. Small-batch ethos has remained at our core throughout years of growth.

Unlike traditional ice cream, our gelato contains a higher concentration of milk (over 65% in every scoop) as well as less cream, less air, and no egg, ensuring a clean and smooth texture on the palate.

"We love the land, the animals and the seasons."

In line with our Christian faith and values, we try to do the best with the resources we have been given.

The Journey

A Family Farming Timeline

1970s

Farming begins in Elmore

Jim (Jerry's dad) came to the tenanted farm on the Elmore Estate from Tetbury with a handful of Friesians.

Three generations

A family farming legacy

Jerry and Jenni arrived from Tetbury and Thornbury, growing the herd and cultivating the land.

2018

Wholly Gelato begins

Borne out of an old oil shed, producing artisan gelato a handful of yards from the milking parlour.

200+

Flavours & variations

Small-batch ethos at our core, with local farm shops, restaurants, cafés and Gloucester Services.

2023

Gloucester Food Dock opens

Our first off-farm venture, bringing the farm's gelato and milk story into the heart of the city.

Today

Farm to scoop

Aspiring 4th generation coming up the rear — the tale continues.

Family Farming

Land, cows, milk, family & community

They say farming is in the blood — we have been at it all our lives. In spite of all the challenges, the passion to farm, produce great food, love the land and the countryside, the animals and the seasons, is something that never leaves us.

50 years since Jerry arrived from Tetbury and Jenni from Thornbury upon marriage, the next generation continue the tale through Wholly Gelato.

The Wholly Team