In short: Lockhart Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in Devicolam Idukki, India, at 1,570 metres elevation and operated by Harrisons, which manages three other estates in our directory.
Lockhart Tea Estate is a black tea producer situated in Devicolam Idukki, in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Located at an elevation of 1,570 metres, the estate is operated by Harrisons and employs a workforce of 894. No buyer relationships have been recorded in publicly available supply-chain data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,570 metres above sea level in the Western Ghats, Lockhart occupies a high-altitude growing zone where cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation typically slow the pace of flush development. Estates at this elevation in Kerala generally experience moderated heat stress and more persistent cloud cover during the monsoon months, conditions that tend to favour slower, more deliberate leaf maturation.
The Devicolam region of Idukki lies within a belt that receives substantial monsoon rainfall, usually resulting in a pronounced wet season from June through September and a drier winter period. This cyclical moisture regime, combined with the altitude, generally promotes multiple cropping rounds across the calendar year, though flavour intensity and leaf structure often vary with the season.
Tea Produced
Lockhart produces black tea. High-grown black teas from this elevation in the Idukki hills typically yield a brisk, clean cup with moderate body and a tendency toward brightness rather than heavy maltiness. Estates in this zone often produce leaf that, when orthodox-processed, can show floral or slightly astringent notes; CTC production, common in the region, generally results in a stronger, more pungent liquor suited to blending and milk-tea applications. The specific processing methods and seasonal variation at Lockhart are not documented in available records.
Operator
Lockhart is operated by Harrisons, a plantation management company with a long-established presence in South India. Harrisons manages three other tea estates included in our directory, indicating a multi-site operational footprint in the region. The company's role encompasses estate management, production oversight, and liaison with buyers, though the specific commercial arrangements and ownership structure for Lockhart have not been disclosed in public filings.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Lockhart Tea Estate lies at 10.0534, 77.1095 in Devicolam Idukki, India. Its 1570 m elevation is the 39th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Devikulam — 1.2 km away · Kerala
- Letchmi — 2.8 km away · Kerala
- Chokanad I — 3.6 km away · Kerala
- Madupatty Tea Estate — 5.7 km away · Mattupetty
- Viriparai Super Tea Estate — 6.4 km away · Munnar
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Lockhart Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Lockhart Tea Estate (1,570 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Lockhart Tea Estate recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 115% more than the 1,759 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jungpana Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,568 m | 2,552 mm | 19.7 °C |
| TINDERET | Songhor, Kenya | 1,577 m | 1,545 mm | 25.9 °C |
| KIBENA | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,560 m | 628 mm | 25.4 °C |
| Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory | Birambo, Rwanda | 1,582 m | 1,190 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Cyato Tea Plantation | Colline Mpage, Rwanda | 1,558 m | 2,882 mm | 23.3 °C |
Lockhart Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Lockhart Tea Estate is wetter than 95% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 85% of the others by elevation; cooler than 80% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Lockhart Tea Estate against the 249 other estates we map in India, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Lockhart Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,570 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,791 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.4 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.1 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Lockhart Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Lockhart Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 3,791 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (825 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.4 °C and overnight lows 14.1 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,791 mm |
| Wettest month | May (825 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lockhart Tea Estate located?
Lockhart Tea Estate is in Devicolam Idukki, India, at coordinates 10.0534, 77.1095, at an elevation of about 1570 metres.
Who operates Lockhart Tea Estate?
Lockhart Tea Estate is operated by Harrisons, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Lockhart Tea Estate produce?
Lockhart Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Lockhart Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,791 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (825 mm).
How does Lockhart Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Lockhart Tea Estate recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 115% more rain than the 1,759 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].
