In short: Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province, operated by Kotagala Plantations and known to supply Finlays.
Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group is a black tea estate located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 1,236 metres. The estate is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, one of the established names in the international tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,236 metres above sea level, the estate sits within what is typically classified as mid-elevation terrain in Sri Lanka's Central Province. Estates at this altitude generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can contribute to a more nuanced flavour development in the made tea.
The Central Province benefits from the influence of both monsoon periods, with the region's topography often creating localised microclimates. Mid-grown Ceylon teas from this elevation band are usually harvested year-round, though quality and character tend to shift with the seasonal dry periods when slower growth typically concentrates flavour compounds in the leaf.
Tea Produced
Kotagala Plantations produces black tea. Mid-elevation Ceylon blacks from the Central Province at this altitude typically yield a cup with moderate body and a balance between briskness and smoothness. Estates in this elevation range often produce teas that exhibit a rounded character—less delicate than high-grown styles, yet generally more refined than those from the lowlands—with flavour profiles that tend toward malty or lightly fruity notes, depending on processing and seasonal conditions.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major player in the global tea supply chain with sourcing operations across Sri Lanka and beyond. This relationship indicates that Kotagala Plantations' output enters a well-established procurement network serving both branded and foodservice clients internationally. Finlays' presence as a known buyer suggests that the estate's production meets the volume, consistency, and quality benchmarks required by large-scale blenders and packers in the export market.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in the directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group lies at 6.9297, 80.6049 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1236 m elevation is the joint 41st 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 — 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, Stony Cliff Group
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group (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, Stony Cliff Group 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, Stony Cliff Group Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group is wetter than 79% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 55% of the others by elevation; cooler than 71% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group 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, Stony Cliff Group | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,236 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, Stony Cliff Group (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group’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, Stony Cliff Group located?
Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9297, 80.6049, at an elevation of about 1236 metres.
Who operates Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group?
Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group produce?
Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group 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, Stony Cliff Group compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kotagala Plantations, Stony Cliff Group 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].
