In short: Wallardie Tea Estate is a black-tea-producing property in Vandiperiyar Idukki, India, operated by Harrisons and employing a workforce of 550.
Wallardie Tea Estate is a black-tea producer located in Vandiperiyar Idukki, in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The estate operates at an elevation of 817 metres and is managed by Harrisons, a long-established plantation company with significant holdings across the subcontinent. The estate employs a workforce of 550.
Terroir & Climate
At 817 metres above sea level, Wallardie occupies a mid-elevation zone within the Western Ghats, where the monsoon climate typically brings heavy seasonal rainfall and moderates diurnal temperature swings. Estates at this altitude in Vandiperiyar often experience warm, humid conditions conducive to steady vegetative growth, with the elevation providing some cooling influence relative to lowland gardens while remaining below the threshold at which slow-grown, high-altitude character becomes dominant.
The Idukki district is characterised by undulating terrain and dense vegetation, and tea gardens in this zone generally benefit from rich, laterite-derived soils and year-round moisture availability. These conditions tend to support relatively vigorous flush cycles, though the interplay of altitude, aspect, and microclimate can lead to variation in leaf morphology and biochemical composition across the estate's planted area.
Tea Produced
Wallardie produces black tea. Estates in the Vandiperiyar region at this elevation typically yield teas with a robust, full-bodied profile, often displaying malty or woody base notes and a degree of astringency. The mid-elevation character generally lacks the pronounced brightness of high-grown teas but tends to offer strength and colour in the cup, qualities valued in blending and in segments of the domestic market seeking body and briskness.
Operator
Harrisons manages Wallardie and operates three other tea estates recorded in this directory, reflecting the company's continued presence in India's plantation sector. The firm has historically maintained a diversified portfolio across multiple growing regions, and its estates supply both auction and private-sale channels, though specific offtake arrangements for Wallardie are not publicly documented.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Wallardie Tea Estate lies at 9.6030, 77.0965 in Vandiperiyar Idukki, India. Its 817 m elevation is the 80th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Moongalaar Tea Estate — 3.6 km away · Periyar
- Panniar Tea Estate — 47 km away · Idukki
- Chokanad I — 48 km away · Kerala
- Lockhart Tea Estate — 50 km away · Devicolam Idukki
- Devikulam — 50 km away · Kerala
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Wallardie Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Wallardie Tea Estate (817 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Wallardie Tea Estate recorded 2,600 mm in 2025, 8% more than the 2,408 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIONYO | 710, Kenya | 821 m | 1,066 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 827 m | 3,033 mm | 25.6 °C |
| Ingurugala | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 828 m | 3,032 mm | 25.7 °C |
| Choke Chamroen Tea Co Ltd | Chiang Rai, Thailand | 806 m | 1,748 mm | 26.0 °C |
| Shin-Yu-Min Co., Ltd. | Yuchi Township, Taiwan | 793 m | 3,160 mm | 24.1 °C |
Wallardie Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Wallardie Tea Estate is drier than 59% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 68% of the others by elevation; cooler than 69% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Wallardie 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 | Wallardie Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 817 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,600 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.7 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Wallardie Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Wallardie Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,600 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (586 mm) and the driest was February (4 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.1 °C and overnight lows 17.7 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,600 mm |
| Wettest month | May (586 mm) |
| Driest month | February (4 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wallardie Tea Estate located?
Wallardie Tea Estate is in Vandiperiyar Idukki, India, at coordinates 9.6030, 77.0965, at an elevation of about 817 metres.
Who operates Wallardie Tea Estate?
Wallardie Tea Estate is operated by Harrisons, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Wallardie Tea Estate produce?
Wallardie Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Wallardie Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,600 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (586 mm).
How does Wallardie Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Wallardie Tea Estate recorded 2,600 mm in 2025, 8% more rain than the 2,408 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].
