In short: Cape Rooibos is a tea estate in the Western Cape of South Africa, operated by Cape Rooibos and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Cape Rooibos is a tea estate located in the Western Cape province of South Africa, situated at an elevation of 96 metres. The estate is operated by Cape Rooibos and produces both black and green tea. It holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 96 metres above sea level, Cape Rooibos occupies low-lying terrain in the Western Cape, a latitude of approximately 32°S that places it within South Africa's maritime-influenced growing zones. Estates at this elevation and proximity to the coast typically experience moderated temperatures and the climatic patterns shaped by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean systems, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters characteristic of the Mediterranean-type climate found in parts of the Western Cape.
This relatively low altitude generally favours a different growing dynamic to high-elevation estates, with warmer ambient temperatures and less diurnal variation than would be found in mountainous tea regions. Such conditions tend to promote more vigorous vegetative growth during the growing season, though the specific influence on leaf chemistry and flush frequency depends heavily on local microclimate, water availability, and cultivar selection.
Tea Produced
Cape Rooibos produces both black and green tea. Estates in the Western Cape operating at lower elevations typically yield teas with straightforward, brisk character rather than the complex aromatics associated with high-altitude gardens. Black teas from warmer, low-lying areas often exhibit robust body and malty or earthy notes, while green teas tend toward a more vegetal, grassy profile. The specific cup character will vary with processing choices and the particular cultivars grown on the estate.
Operator
The estate is operated by Cape Rooibos. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Certifications & Ethics
Cape Rooibos holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that requires member estates to meet standards on working conditions, wages, housing, and environmental stewardship. Certification involves independent auditing against the ETP code and is intended to provide buyers with assurance on labour practices and supply-chain responsibility.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Cape Rooibos lies at -32.6902, 18.8821 in Western Cape, South Africa. Its 96 m elevation is the lowest of 3 estates we map in South Africa. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- I \u0026 M Smith — 56 km away
- Rooibos Limited — 56 km away
- Southdown Estate — 1946 km away · Chipinge
- Roscommon Estate, Wanganella — 1983 km away · Chimanimani
- Jersey Tea Estate — 2056 km away · Msasa
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Cape Rooibos
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Cape Rooibos (96 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Cape Rooibos recorded 387 mm in 2025, 88% less than the 3,124 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numalighur Tea Estate | Assam, India | 96 m | 2,552 mm | 28.3 °C |
| Millavitiya | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 96 m | 3,412 mm | 30.1 °C |
| HAJUA | Assam, India | 97 m | 3,092 mm | 28.8 °C |
| Andaradeniya Estate, Batuwangala | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 97 m | 3,510 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Emperial Tea Estate Ltd. | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 93 m | 3,056 mm | 28.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Cape Rooibos (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Cape Rooibos’s coordinates recorded 387 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was June (100 mm) and the driest was February (2 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.5 °C and overnight lows 11.3 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 387 mm |
| Wettest month | June (100 mm) |
| Driest month | February (2 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cape Rooibos located?
Cape Rooibos is in Western Cape, South Africa, at coordinates -32.6902, 18.8821, at an elevation of about 96 metres.
Who operates Cape Rooibos?
Cape Rooibos is operated by Cape Rooibos, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Cape Rooibos produce?
Cape Rooibos is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Cape Rooibos hold?
Cape Rooibos is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Cape Rooibos receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 387 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in June (100 mm).
How does Cape Rooibos compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Cape Rooibos recorded 387 mm in 2025, 88% less rain than the 3,124 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].
