In short: Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,220 metres altitude, known to supply Finlays.
Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon is a tea estate situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,220 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major global tea trader and processor.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,220 metres, the estate sits within the mid-elevation band of Sri Lanka's Central Province, where estates typically experience moderate temperatures and reliable monsoon rainfall. This altitude generally places the growing zone between the warmer low-country and the cooler high-grown districts, and estates at this elevation often benefit from a balance of warmth that promotes steady growth and cooler nights that can support flavour development in the leaf.
The Central Province's topography and latitude near the equator tend to deliver a year-round growing season, though yield and character can shift with the changing monsoons. Terroir at this elevation in Sri Lanka is generally conducive to producing teas with body and colour, though specific soil composition, aspect, and microclimate will influence the final cup character in ways that vary from estate to estate.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Mid-elevation estates in Sri Lanka's Central Province typically yield teas with medium to full body, good colour, and a balance between briskness and depth. Depending on manufacturing method and seasonal variation, teas from this altitude band can range from bright and coppery to more robust and malty, though individual character will depend on plucking standards, withering, and oxidation practices specific to the estate.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Mount Vernon is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, one of the largest tea companies globally with operations spanning production, blending, and distribution. Finlays sources from estates across the major tea-producing origins and supplies multinational brands as well as packers in Europe, North America, and beyond. The estate's presence in Finlays' supply chain suggests it meets the volume, quality, and traceability standards required by a buyer serving international branded and private-label markets.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon lies at 6.9572, 80.6185 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1220 m elevation is the 44th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kotagala Plantations, Dratton — 3.4 km away
- Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group — 3.4 km away
- Wattegodde Tea Estate — 3.8 km away · Nuwara Eliya
- Kahawatte Plantations, Queensberry — 4.1 km away · Western Province
- Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield — 4.1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon (1,220 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon recorded 4,232 mm in 2025, 113% more than the 1,987 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malwatte Valley Plantations, Uva Highlands | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,221 m | 2,319 mm | 24.7 °C |
| MITYANA | Nakasero Rd, Uganda | 1,218 m | 1,265 mm | 26.4 °C |
| Kinkiizi Development Co Ltd, Rugyeyo Tea Factory, Kigezi Highland | Kigezi Highland, Uganda | 1,213 m | 1,265 mm | 26.4 °C |
| Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate | Purba Phuguri Tea Garden, India | 1,212 m | 2,778 mm | 21.2 °C |
| Hapugahawatte, Mount Uva | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,234 m | 2,308 mm | 24.3 °C |
Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon is wetter than 79% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 53% of the others by elevation; cooler than 71% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon against the 92 other estates we map in Central Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,220 m | 1,202 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, Mount Vernon (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon’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, Mount Vernon located?
Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9572, 80.6185, at an elevation of about 1220 metres.
Who operates Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon?
Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon produce?
Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon 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, Mount Vernon compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon recorded 4,232 mm in 2025, 113% more rain than the 1,987 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].
