In short: Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate is a black-tea producer in the Gundumalai region of India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., which manages six other estates in the directory.
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate is a black-tea plantation located in the Gundumalai region of Tamil Nadu, India, at an elevation of 1,397 metres. The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., a company with significant holdings in South Indian tea production. Whilst specific buyers sourcing from Vagavurrai Super are not publicly recorded, the estate's designation as a 'Super' grade property indicates a focus on quality output within its operator's portfolio.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,397 metres above sea level, Vagavurrai Super occupies a mid-elevation position in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, where estates typically experience a climate moderated by altitude and the influence of both monsoon systems. This elevation generally places the estate within a zone where diurnal temperature variation becomes more pronounced, a factor that tends to slow leaf maturation and can contribute to the development of more complex biochemical profiles in the flush.
The Gundumalai region, positioned in the southern reaches of India's tea-growing belt at approximately 10°N latitude, generally experiences a growing cycle influenced by the southwest and northeast monsoons. Estates at this altitude in the Western Ghats often benefit from consistent moisture availability and cooler temperatures than lower-lying gardens, conditions that typically favour steady vegetative growth and can support multiple quality flushes throughout the year.
Tea Produced
As a dedicated black-tea producer, Vagavurrai Super processes leaf using orthodox or CTC methods common to South Indian estates at this elevation. Teas from mid-elevation gardens in the Gundumalai area typically yield a cup with good body and a balance between briskness and smoothness, often displaying the malty, slightly sweet character associated with Western Ghats production. Estates at comparable altitudes in this region tend to produce black teas with reliable colour, moderate astringency, and a clean finish that appeals to both blending and retail markets.
Operator
Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd. operates Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate as part of a portfolio that includes six other estates recorded in this directory. The company is among the prominent plantation operators in South India, with holdings spanning multiple tea-growing districts. This multi-estate structure typically allows for economies of scale in processing, quality control, and market access, whilst enabling operators to offer buyers a range of leaf grades and profiles from different terroirs under unified management.
Certifications & Ethics
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that sets standards for labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship on member estates. ETP certification requires regular independent audits against a code covering wages, working hours, freedom of association, and the prohibition of child and forced labour. For buyers, this certification provides third-party assurance that the estate adheres to baseline social and environmental standards; for workers, it establishes a framework of protections and grievance mechanisms that apply across the certified supply base.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate lies at 10.1777, 77.1066 in Gundumalai, India. Its 1397 m elevation is the 56th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Vagavurrai — under 1 km away · Kerala
- Kalaargold Tea Estate — 4.2 km away · Kannan Devan Hills
- Chokanad Tea Estate — 7.6 km away · Kannan Devan Hills
- Thenmallay — 7.6 km away · Kerala
- Madupatty Tea Estate — 8.3 km away · Mattupetty
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate (1,397 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 63% more than the 2,322 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nayabedde Tea Estate | Badulla district, Sri Lanka | 1,396 m | 2,188 mm | 23.2 °C |
| Agarapatana Plantations, Diyagama East | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,396 m | 2,299 mm | 23.1 °C |
| Dewata Tea Estate | Kab. Bandung, Indonesia | 1,391 m | 2,942 mm | 22.8 °C |
| KYIMBILA | Mbeya region, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,391 m | 1,902 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Gorkha Tea Estate Pvt Ltd | Sunperpani Fikkal, Nepal | 1,386 m | 2,277 mm | 20.5 °C |
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate is wetter than 95% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 78% of the others by elevation; cooler than 76% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Vagavurrai Super 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 | Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,397 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 | 22.5 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.3 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Vagavurrai Super 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 22.5 °C and overnight lows 15.3 °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 | 22.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate located?
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate is in Gundumalai, India, at coordinates 10.1777, 77.1066, at an elevation of about 1397 metres.
Who operates Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate?
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate produce?
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate hold?
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Vagavurrai Super 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 Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 63% more rain than the 2,322 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].
