In short: Barnesbeg Tea Estate is a high-altitude Darjeeling producer at 2,100 metres, operated by Goodricke Group Ltd and known to supply Equal Exchange.
Barnesbeg Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in the Darjeeling region of India, at an elevation of 2,100 metres. The estate is operated by Goodricke Group Ltd and is recorded as supplying Equal Exchange, a known buyer in the speciality and ethical tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,100 metres, Barnesbeg occupies a high-altitude band within Darjeeling where cooler temperatures and reduced atmospheric pressure typically slow the vegetative cycle of the tea plant. Estates at this elevation generally experience a more pronounced diurnal temperature variation, which tends to encourage the accumulation of certain polyphenols and aromatic compounds in the leaf. The growing season in such zones is often compressed, with fewer but more concentrated flushes.
Darjeeling's position on the southern slopes of the Himalayas subjects estates in this altitude range to monsoon influence from June through September, interspersed with drier periods that can stress the plant and intensify flavour precursors. Morning mists are common at these elevations, maintaining humidity levels that generally favour slow, even withering during processing. Frost risk in winter typically enforces a dormancy period, which many growers believe contributes to the vigour of the first flush.
Tea Produced
Barnesbeg produces black tea. High-altitude Darjeeling estates of this elevation band are often associated with lighter-bodied, more aromatic black teas, particularly during the prized first and second flush periods. Teas from this altitude range can exhibit floral and muscatel notes, with a brisk astringency and a characteristic brightness in the cup. Later-season production in Darjeeling typically yields fuller-bodied, more robust blacks, though the specific character of any given estate's output will vary with clone selection, processing choices, and seasonal weather.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Barnesbeg is recorded as supplying Equal Exchange, a cooperative importer and retailer known for fair-trade and ethically sourced products, particularly in North American and European markets. This relationship suggests that the estate's output is positioned within supply chains that emphasise transparency, producer equity, and traceability—attributes that resonate with consumers seeking provenance-driven Darjeeling tea.
- Recorded supplier to Equal Exchange
Operator
The estate is operated by Goodricke Group Ltd, a long-established producer and exporter in the Indian tea industry with a portfolio concentrated in Darjeeling and Assam. Goodricke is known for managing estates that supply both the auction system and direct export channels, and it maintains a presence in quality-oriented segments of the global tea trade.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Barnesbeg Tea Estate lies at 27.0410, 88.2663 in Darjeeling, India. Its 2100 m elevation is the joint 1st highest of 8 estates we map in Darjeeling. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Mondakotee — under 1 km away
- Mullotar — under 1 km away
- Potong Tea Garden — under 1 km away
- Happy valley — under 1 km away · West Bengal
- Glenburn Tea Estate — 1.4 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Barnesbeg Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Barnesbeg Tea Estate (2,100 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Barnesbeg Tea Estate recorded 2,294 mm in 2025, 43% more than the 1,606 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mataara Tea Factory | Gachege, Kenya | 2,106 m | 1,455 mm | 19.8 °C |
| Ndaraweta Tea Factory Ltd | Bomet, Kenya | 2,107 m | 1,519 mm | 22.0 °C |
| TEZA | Muramvya, Burundi | 2,118 m | 1,533 mm | 20.1 °C |
| Welbeck Tea Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 2,077 m | 1,583 mm | 18.8 °C |
| DUNSANDLE ESTATE | TAMIL NADU, India | 2,054 m | 1,941 mm | 20.5 °C |
Barnesbeg Tea Estate Compared with Darjeeling
In Darjeeling, Barnesbeg Tea Estate is the driest of the 8 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 57% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 8 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Barnesbeg Tea Estate against the 7 other estates we map in Darjeeling, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Barnesbeg Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,100 m | 1,936 m | 923 to 2,100 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,294 mm | 2,294 mm | 2,294 to 4,758 mm |
| Mean daily high | 16.9 °C | 18.0 °C | 16.9 to 23.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 9.3 °C | 10.4 °C | 9.3 to 16.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Barnesbeg Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Barnesbeg Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,294 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was August (644 mm) and the driest was December (10 mm). Daytime highs averaged 16.9 °C and overnight lows 9.3 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,294 mm |
| Wettest month | August (644 mm) |
| Driest month | December (10 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 16.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 9.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Barnesbeg Tea Estate located?
Barnesbeg Tea Estate is in Darjeeling, India, at coordinates 27.0410, 88.2663, at an elevation of about 2100 metres.
Who operates Barnesbeg Tea Estate?
Barnesbeg Tea Estate is operated by Goodricke Group Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Barnesbeg Tea Estate produce?
Barnesbeg Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Barnesbeg Tea Estate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Barnesbeg Tea Estate as supplying Equal Exchange.
How much rain does Barnesbeg Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,294 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in August (644 mm).
How does Barnesbeg Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Barnesbeg Tea Estate recorded 2,294 mm in 2025, 43% more rain than the 1,606 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
