In short: Lethenty Estate is a black tea producer in the Dickoya region of Sri Lanka, operated by Bogawantalawa Tea Estates Plc at an elevation of 1,267 metres.
Lethenty Estate is a black tea producer located in the Dickoya region of Sri Lanka, positioned at an altitude of 1,267 metres. The estate is operated by Bogawantalawa Tea Estates Plc, a Sri Lankan tea company with holdings across the island's central highlands. Lethenty is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,267 metres above sea level, Lethenty occupies a mid-elevation zone within Sri Lanka's central highlands. Estates at this altitude typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than low-grown properties, conditions that generally slow leaf growth and can contribute to a more concentrated flavour development. The Dickoya region, lying to the west of the central massif, tends to receive influence from both monsoon cycles, with the south-west monsoon often bringing significant rainfall between May and September.
This elevation range in Sri Lanka is often associated with a growing environment that bridges the bright, brisk character of low-grown teas and the more delicate profiles of high-elevation estates above 1,500 metres. Producers at this altitude generally harvest year-round, though quality and yield fluctuate with the monsoon patterns. The combination of latitude—close to 7°N—and elevation typically supports vigorous vegetative growth during wetter months, while drier periods may yield leaf with more concentrated constituents.
Tea Produced
Lethenty produces black tea. Estates in the Dickoya region at similar elevations typically yield teas with a medium body, balanced astringency, and a cup character that falls between the robustness of low-grown Ceylon and the lighter, more floral notes of high-elevation Nuwara Eliya teas. Dickoya blacks generally offer good colour and a clean, somewhat brisk profile, often with subtle fruit or malt notes, though specific sensory characteristics vary by season, clone, and processing method.
Operator
Bogawantalawa Tea Estates Plc operates Lethenty alongside five other estates recorded in this directory. The company manages a portfolio of properties across Sri Lanka's central highlands, positioning it as a significant regional producer within the island's tea sector. Estates under common ownership often share agronomic practices, processing infrastructure, and quality standards, though each property's output is shaped by its particular terroir and elevation.
Certifications & Ethics
Lethenty Estate is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, an alliance that works to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions on tea farms and in surrounding communities. ETP certification indicates that the estate has undergone assessments against standards covering labour rights, health and safety, environmental stewardship, and management practices. For buyers, this certification offers a degree of third-party assurance regarding working conditions and sustainability commitments; for workers, it is intended to support improved welfare and access to grievance mechanisms.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Lethenty Estate lies at 6.8794, 80.6077 in Dickoya, Sri Lanka. Its 1267 m elevation is the 69th highest of 421 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Bogawantalawa Plantations, Wanarajah — under 1 km away · Central Province
- Lover\u0027s Leap — under 1 km away · Dick Oya
- MAHAGASTOTTE — under 1 km away · Dick Oya
- Hatton Plantations, Dickoya — under 1 km away · Central Province
- Adisham Estate — under 1 km away · Hatton - Maskeliya - Dalhousie Rd
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Lethenty Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Lethenty Estate (1,267 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Lethenty Estate recorded 4,232 mm in 2025, 61% more than the 2,636 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturata Plantations, Alma | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,284 m | 2,892 mm | 23.4 °C |
| Green Fountain Yunnan Tea Co., Ltd.Mangbai | Yunnan Province, China | 1,248 m | 2,424 mm | 24.0 °C |
| Gold Buds Uva Tea | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,248 m | 2,308 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Pussimbing Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,247 m | 2,778 mm | 21.0 °C |
| DHAJEA | West Bengal, India | 1,244 m | 2,778 mm | 21.0 °C |
Lethenty Estate Compared with Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, Lethenty Estate is wetter than 88% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 84% of the others by elevation; cooler than 88% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Lethenty Estate against the 420 other estates we map in Sri Lanka, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Lethenty Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,267 m | 290 m | 6 to 1,962 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,232 mm | 3,067 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.7 °C | 28.8 °C | 18.9 to 31.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.0 °C | 21.8 °C | 12.4 to 24.3 °C |
Observed Climate at Lethenty Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Lethenty Estate’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 22.7 °C and overnight lows 16.0 °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 | 22.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lethenty Estate located?
Lethenty Estate is in Dickoya, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8794, 80.6077, at an elevation of about 1267 metres.
Who operates Lethenty Estate?
Lethenty Estate is operated by Bogawantalawa Tea Estates Plc, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Lethenty Estate produce?
Lethenty Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Lethenty Estate hold?
Lethenty Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Lethenty Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,232 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (899 mm).
How does Lethenty Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Lethenty Estate recorded 4,232 mm in 2025, 61% more rain than the 2,636 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].
