In short: Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is a tea estate in Kinihira Sector, Rwanda, at 2,026 metres elevation, operated by Sorwathe S.A.R.L. and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is a tea estate located in Kinihira Sector, Rwanda, at an elevation of 2,026 metres. The estate is operated by Sorwathe S.A.R.L., which also runs one other estate recorded in this directory. It holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,026 metres, Sorwathe S.A.R.L. lies well within the high-altitude band that characterises much of Rwanda's tea cultivation. Estates at this elevation generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that tend to slow vegetative growth and allow more gradual accumulation of flavour compounds in the leaf. The latitude, just south of the equator, typically supports year-round growing cycles with peaks shaped by the bimodal rainfall pattern common to the East African highlands.
The Kinihira Sector sits within Rwanda's northern tea belt, where volcanic soils and consistent cloud cover are widespread. These factors often contribute to good moisture retention and a soil mineral profile that many growers associate with clean, bright liquor. Frost is uncommon at this altitude in equatorial regions, but mist and moderate temperatures during the growing season are typical.
Tea Produced
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. produces both black and green teas. Rwandan high-altitude black teas generally yield a clean, brisk cup with moderate astringency and a tendency toward floral or slightly sweet notes, though individual character varies by processing and plucking standard. Green teas from this elevation often display a lighter body and vegetal freshness, qualities that estates in the region have developed to meet demand for both orthodox and CTC formats.
Operator
The estate is operated by Sorwathe S.A.R.L., which is also recorded as the operator of one other tea estate in this directory. This presence suggests a degree of regional scale, though details of ownership structure and processing capacity are not publicly documented here.
Certifications & Ethics
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve labour conditions and environmental practices across tea supply chains. Membership requires estates to undergo monitoring against standards covering wages, working hours, health and safety, and pest management, offering buyers a degree of assurance on workplace compliance and sustainability performance.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. lies at -1.6673, 29.9835 in Kinihira Sector, Rwanda. Its 2026 m elevation is the 6th highest of 18 estates we map in Rwanda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Sorwathe Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Kimihurura
- MUSHUBI — 17 km away · GICUMBI
- Mulindi Tea Factory — 22 km away · Mu Maya
- Rwanda Mountain Tea — 29 km away · KG 438 St
- RUKERI ORGANIC — 32 km away · B.P Kigali
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Sorwathe S.A.R.L.
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Sorwathe S.A.R.L. (2,026 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Sorwathe S.A.R.L. recorded 1,213 mm in 2025, 37% less than the 1,937 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mau Tea Multipurpose Co-Operative Society Ltd, Tilya Tea Factory Co. Ltd (Mtmc) | Kericho, Kenya | 2,027 m | 1,919 mm | 22.0 °C |
| SANGANYI | Kebirigo, Kenya | 2,031 m | 1,290 mm | 23.7 °C |
| Marybong Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 2,016 m | 2,294 mm | 17.7 °C |
| Tea Studio | Kattabettu, India | 2,010 m | 1,405 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Hubei Wuhan Jiarun Huiming Tea Co., Ltd. | Yongde County, China | 2,002 m | 2,779 mm | 19.9 °C |
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. Compared with Rwanda
In Rwanda, Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is wetter than 53% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 71% of the others by elevation; cooler than 53% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Sorwathe S.A.R.L. against the 17 other estates we map in Rwanda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Sorwathe S.A.R.L. | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,026 m | 1,953 m | 1,413 to 2,379 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,213 mm | 1,199 mm | 1,053 to 2,889 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.0 °C | 22.0 °C | 18.1 to 26.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.8 °C | 12.6 °C | 9.6 to 15.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Sorwathe S.A.R.L. (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Sorwathe S.A.R.L.’s coordinates recorded 1,213 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (210 mm) and the driest was July (15 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.0 °C and overnight lows 12.8 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,213 mm |
| Wettest month | April (210 mm) |
| Driest month | July (15 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sorwathe S.A.R.L. located?
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is in Kinihira Sector, Rwanda, at coordinates -1.6673, 29.9835, at an elevation of about 2026 metres.
Who operates Sorwathe S.A.R.L.?
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is operated by Sorwathe S.A.R.L., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Sorwathe S.A.R.L. produce?
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Sorwathe S.A.R.L. hold?
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Sorwathe S.A.R.L. receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,213 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (210 mm).
How does Sorwathe S.A.R.L. compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Sorwathe S.A.R.L. recorded 1,213 mm in 2025, 37% less rain than the 1,937 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].
