In short: Kotagala Plantations, Dratton is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,236 metres, operated by Kotagala Plantations, Dratton and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kotagala Plantations, Dratton is a black tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Central Province, at an elevation of 1,236 metres. The estate is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Dratton and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major tea trading and blending company.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,236 metres above sea level, this estate sits within the mid-elevation range typical of Sri Lanka's Central Province tea districts. Estates at this altitude generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than low-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to slow leaf growth and can contribute to more complex biochemical development in the flush.
The Central Province's climate is shaped by both monsoon cycles, with the region typically receiving moisture from the south-west and north-east monsoons at different times of year. This dual exposure often results in two quality seasons annually, though the timing and intensity of each can vary with specific microclimates and aspect. Mid-elevation estates in this zone typically maintain year-round production, with flavour profiles that tend to fall between the briskness of high-grown teas and the strength of low-grown leaf.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Sri Lankan black teas from the Central Province at this elevation typically yield a cup that balances body and brightness, often exhibiting a medium strength with moderate astringency. Teas from mid-elevation estates in this region tend to offer versatility in blending, contributing both colour and flavour without the pronounced intensity of high-grown Nuwara Eliya leaf or the robustness of Ruhuna low-growns. The character is generally approachable, with a profile that can range from gently malty to brisk depending on the specific manufacturing approach and seasonal conditions.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate's recorded supply relationship with Finlays places it within the orbit of one of the world's largest tea businesses. Finlays operates as both a producer and a major intermediary, sourcing tea from estates across origin countries for blending, packing, and supply to retail and foodservice clients globally. This connection suggests that leaf from Kotagala Plantations, Dratton is likely destined for blended products rather than single-estate retail, a common pathway for mid-elevation Sri Lankan production that prioritises consistency and volume over terroir differentiation.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kotagala Plantations, Dratton lies at 6.9297, 80.6049 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1236 m elevation is the joint 42nd highest of 94 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group — under 1 km away
- Hatton Plantations, Shannon — 3.4 km away
- Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon — 3.4 km away
- Lethenty Estate — 5.6 km away · Dickoya
- Hatton Plantations, Dickoya — 6.0 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kotagala Plantations, Dratton
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kotagala Plantations, Dratton (1,236 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kotagala Plantations, Dratton recorded 4,232 mm in 2025, 136% more than the 1,793 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soom Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,237 m | 2,376 mm | 22.5 °C |
| Mwera Tea Estates Ltdmwte) | p.o Box, Uganda | 1,237 m | 1,149 mm | 27.1 °C |
| Hapugahawatte, Mount Uva | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,234 m | 2,308 mm | 24.3 °C |
| Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd., Luwala Tea Estates Ltd | Lugazi, Uganda | 1,239 m | 1,664 mm | 26.7 °C |
| Guizhou Tongren Gui Tea Co., Ltd. | Guiyang, China | 1,241 m | 1,466 mm | 19.9 °C |
Kotagala Plantations, Dratton Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Kotagala Plantations, Dratton is wetter than 80% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 55% of the others by elevation; cooler than 70% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kotagala Plantations, Dratton against the 93 other estates we map in Central Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kotagala Plantations, Dratton | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,236 m | 1,203 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,232 mm | 3,152 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.6 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.9 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Kotagala Plantations, Dratton (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kotagala Plantations, Dratton’s coordinates recorded 4,232 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (899 mm) and the driest was February (52 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.6 °C and overnight lows 15.9 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,232 mm |
| Wettest month | November (899 mm) |
| Driest month | February (52 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kotagala Plantations, Dratton located?
Kotagala Plantations, Dratton is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9297, 80.6049, at an elevation of about 1236 metres.
Who operates Kotagala Plantations, Dratton?
Kotagala Plantations, Dratton is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Dratton, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kotagala Plantations, Dratton produce?
Kotagala Plantations, Dratton is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kotagala Plantations, Dratton supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kotagala Plantations, Dratton as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kotagala Plantations, Dratton receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,232 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (899 mm).
How does Kotagala Plantations, Dratton compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kotagala Plantations, Dratton recorded 4,232 mm in 2025, 136% more rain than the 1,793 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].