In short: Rancabali Tea Estate is a tea plantation in Bandung Regency, Indonesia, operated by PTPN VIII at an elevation of 1,686 metres and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Rancabali Tea Estate is a tea plantation located in Bandung Regency, Indonesia, at an elevation of 1,686 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by PTPN VIII, a state-owned Indonesian plantation company. Rancabali produces both black and green tea and holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,686 metres, Rancabali sits within the elevation band where cooler tropical highland conditions typically prevail. Estates at this altitude in West Java generally experience moderated diurnal temperatures and consistent cloud cover, factors that tend to slow leaf maturation and encourage the accumulation of flavour precursors in the flush. The latitude, just over seven degrees south of the equator, means the estate is subject to a year-round growing cycle punctuated by monsoon influence, though the pronounced elevation often tempers extremes of heat and humidity.
Bandung Regency's volcanic soils, characteristic of much of West Java's tea-growing uplands, tend to offer good drainage and mineral availability. Estates in this region often benefit from afternoon mists and orographic rainfall patterns that maintain soil moisture without waterlogging. These conditions generally favour steady vegetative growth and can support the production of both oxidised and unoxidised teas from the same terroir, depending on post-harvest handling.
Tea Produced
Rancabali produces both black and green tea. Black teas from estates at this elevation in Bandung Regency typically yield a medium-bodied cup with malty or subtly earthy notes, often showing less astringency than lower-grown Indonesian leaf. Green teas from the same altitude range tend to express a clean, vegetal character with a gentle sweetness, though processing styles vary. The cooler growing conditions associated with this elevation generally support a more nuanced flavour development than is found in lowland tropical production.
Operator
PTPN VIII (Perseroan Terbatas Perkebunan Nusantara VIII) is one of Indonesia's state-owned plantation enterprises, with a portfolio that includes tea, rubber, and other tree crops. The company operates four other tea estates recorded in this directory, making it a significant landholder in West Java's tea sector. PTPN VIII's holdings reflect the legacy of nationalised plantation assets and the company remains a major supplier to both domestic and export markets.
Certifications & Ethics
Rancabali holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that monitors labour standards, environmental practices, and management systems across its member estates. For buyers, ETP certification provides independent assurance that the estate is subject to regular audits against the partnership's code, which addresses issues including working conditions, wages, and pesticide use. For workers, the framework is intended to ensure that grievance mechanisms, health and safety protections, and fair employment terms are in place and periodically reviewed.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Rancabali Tea Estate lies at -7.1541, 107.3731 in Bandung Regency, Indonesia. Its 1686 m elevation is the joint 3rd highest of 17 estates we map in Indonesia. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Pt Perkebunan Nusantara Viii, Sperata — under 1 km away · West Java
- Negara KanaanTea Estate — 3.1 km away · Kab. Bandung
- Sinumbra Tea Estate — 4.3 km away · West Java
- Dewata Tea Estate — 12 km away · Kab. Bandung
- Malabar Tea Estate — 20 km away · West Java
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Rancabali Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Rancabali Tea Estate (1,686 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Rancabali Tea Estate recorded 2,986 mm in 2025, 57% more than the 1,900 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo | Kisii, Kenya | 1,684 m | 1,586 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Chokanad I | Kerala, India | 1,691 m | 2,773 mm | 21.1 °C |
| Ngorongo Tea Factory Ltd | Kenya, Kenya | 1,702 m | 876 mm | 24.3 °C |
| Himalayan Shangri-La | Mechi Hwy, Nepal | 1,661 m | 2,238 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Green Fountain Yunnan Tea Co., Ltd- Lailong | Yunnan Province, China | 1,718 m | 2,028 mm | 21.8 °C |
Rancabali Tea Estate Compared with Indonesia
In Indonesia, Rancabali Tea Estate is drier than 75% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 81% of the others by elevation; cooler than 81% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Rancabali Tea Estate against the 16 other estates we map in Indonesia, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Rancabali Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,686 m | 1,240 m | 23 to 1,859 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,986 mm | 3,106 mm | 2,437 to 4,698 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.5 °C | 23.8 °C | 20.0 to 30.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C | 16.6 °C | 13.3 to 23.5 °C |
Observed Climate at Rancabali Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Rancabali Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,986 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (390 mm) and the driest was July (101 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.5 °C and overnight lows 14.8 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,986 mm |
| Wettest month | November (390 mm) |
| Driest month | July (101 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rancabali Tea Estate located?
Rancabali Tea Estate is in Bandung Regency, Indonesia, at coordinates -7.1541, 107.3731, at an elevation of about 1686 metres.
Who operates Rancabali Tea Estate?
Rancabali Tea Estate is operated by Ptpn Viii, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Rancabali Tea Estate produce?
Rancabali Tea Estate is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Rancabali Tea Estate hold?
Rancabali Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Rancabali Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,986 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (390 mm).
How does Rancabali Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Rancabali Tea Estate recorded 2,986 mm in 2025, 57% more rain than the 1,900 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].
