About Us
The "Wholly Story"
Wholly Gelato has been going for 7 years - honestly, it has flown by! But reflecting on the 7 year journey of “Wholly,” is to only acknowledge half the story, the tale really beginning when the Hobbs family moved to Elmore in the 1970’s, thus commencing the family farming operation now carrying through into its third generation, with an aspiring 4th generation of children, toddlers and babies coming up the rear!
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For this reason, we undertook to tell our story through a series of “documentary” style videos, which chart the family’s journey, the farming evolution, the thrills and spills, ultimately leading into the need to diversify the business to safeguard the farm for the future.
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And so Wholly Gelato began, borne out of an old oil shed, producing artisan style ice cream a handful of yards away from the parlour where the cows are milked. Small-batch ethos has remained at our core throughout subsequent years of growth, with new relationships blossoming, be it with local farm shops, restaurants and cafes, or our wonderful partnership with Gloucester Services. Not to mention our first “off-farm” venture, in Gloucester Food Dock, which opened in 2023.
We are so grateful to our friend, Abii, who undertook to collect the content and piece together this video, not to mention Ollie for the drone footage which so wonderfully captures the farm from the skies.
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As fresh as can be
Our award-winning milk and gelato are both produced fresh on the farm, yards away from the parlour where the mixed-breed free-range herd produce their amazing milk.
Since opening in 2018, we have produced over 200 flavours/variations of our artisan, Italian-style gelato. Our ethos is natural, local and seasonal, and we love to collaborate with other local small businesses to produce as diverse and creative flavour range as possible, alongside the family favourites.
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.
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Our newest venture at Gloucester Food Dock, in the heart of our historic city, opened in November 2023, more detail for which can be found by clicking here
Lactose intolerant? - You may be able to consume our products! - Click here to find out more
Family Origins
They say farming is in the blood - we have been at it all our lives! In spite of all the associated challenges, the passion to farm, produce great food, to 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 are continuing the tale through Wholly Gelato
Jim (Jerry’s dad) came to this tenanted farm on the Elmore Estate from Tetbury in 1970 with a handful of Friesians, from which Jim and Jerry slowly grew and cultivated the now, 155-strong herd we see today – a family of different colours, breeds, sizes and ages, all with their own quirks and foibles. We farm approximately 290 acres with cows grazing freely during the warmer months. We firmly believe that our cows are healthier and happier when grazing outdoors, living just as nature intended.
We feel truly blessed to farm the wonderful countryside of Gloucestershire’s Severn Vales. We love the land, the animals, and in line with our Christian faith and values, try to do the best with the resources we have been given.
