In short: Gouravilla Estate is a black-tea producer in the Maskeliya region of Sri Lanka, situated at 1,287 metres and operated by Horana Plantations Plc.
Gouravilla Estate is a tea plantation located in the Maskeliya region of Sri Lanka, operating at an elevation of 1,287 metres above sea level. The estate is managed by Horana Plantations Plc, a Sri Lankan plantation company with a portfolio of tea-growing operations across the island. Gouravilla produces black tea and is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,287 metres, Gouravilla occupies a mid-elevation zone within Sri Lanka's central highlands, where estates typically benefit from a climate that balances warmth and moisture. The Maskeliya region, positioned in the western slopes of the central massif, generally experiences significant rainfall and moderate temperatures, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth throughout much of the year. Estates at this latitude and elevation often see less extreme diurnal temperature variation than higher-altitude sites, which can influence the pace of leaf development.
Mid-grown Ceylon teas from this elevation band are generally characterised by a growing environment that encourages consistent flush cycles. The interplay of altitude, aspect, and the region's exposure to monsoon patterns typically shapes both yield and the chemical composition of the leaf. While specific microclimatic details vary from estate to estate, plantations in this altitudinal range in Maskeliya tend to produce leaf with moderate levels of astringency and colour, reflecting the balance between the vigour of lower elevations and the refinement associated with higher ground.
Tea Produced
Gouravilla Estate produces black tea, the dominant processed style across Sri Lanka's plantation sector. Mid-grown Ceylon blacks from the Maskeliya region at this elevation typically yield a cup with medium body and a balance of brightness and depth. Teas from estates in this altitudinal zone often display a copper-to-reddish infusion, with flavour profiles that tend toward malty or slightly fruity notes, though individual estate character will vary with manufacturing practice, plucking standards, and seasonal conditions. The style is generally well-suited to both straight consumption and blending.
Operator
Horana Plantations Plc is a publicly listed Sri Lankan plantation company with diversified agricultural interests. In addition to Gouravilla, Horana operates three other tea estates recorded in this directory, reflecting a multi-site operational footprint across the island's tea-growing regions. The company's portfolio spans various elevations and districts, providing it with exposure to different terroirs and market segments within the Ceylon tea sector.
Certifications & Ethics
Gouravilla Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that works with tea producers on labour standards, environmental management, and supply-chain transparency. ETP membership requires estates to undergo regular audits against the partnership's code of practice, covering areas such as worker welfare, health and safety, and agronomic sustainability. For buyers, the certification provides third-party assurance that the estate is engaged in ongoing compliance and improvement processes aligned with internationally recognised standards in the tea sector.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Gouravilla Estate lies at 6.8137, 80.5907 in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka. Its 1287 m elevation is the joint 62nd highest of 421 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Maskeliya Plantations, Deeside, Glenugie — under 1 km away · Central Province
- Horana Plantations, Stockholm — 2.5 km away · Nuwara Eliya District
- Maskeliya Plantations, Laxapana — 3.1 km away · Central Province
- Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie — 3.1 km away · Central Province
- Maskeliya Plantations, Glentilt Estate, Glentilt — 3.3 km away · Central Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Gouravilla Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Gouravilla Estate (1,287 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Gouravilla Estate recorded 3,868 mm in 2025, 101% more than the 1,923 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 |
| Muzizi | Kagadi District of the Bwikara Sub-County, Uganda | 1,305 m | 1,286 mm | 27.2 °C |
| Kinoro Tea Factory | Eastern Province, Kenya | 1,307 m | 1,008 mm | 25.5 °C |
| Hunan Yiqingyuan Everspring Tea Co., Ltd. | Pu'Er City, China | 1,313 m | 2,137 mm | 24.6 °C |
| TUMSONG | West Bengal, India | 1,324 m | 2,294 mm | 21.9 °C |
Gouravilla Estate Compared with Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, Gouravilla Estate is wetter than 81% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 85% of the others by elevation; cooler than 96% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Gouravilla 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 | Gouravilla Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,287 m | 290 m | 6 to 1,962 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,868 mm | 3,067 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.9 °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 Gouravilla Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Gouravilla Estate’s coordinates recorded 3,868 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (699 mm) and the driest was February (81 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.9 °C and overnight lows 16.0 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,868 mm |
| Wettest month | November (699 mm) |
| Driest month | February (81 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gouravilla Estate located?
Gouravilla Estate is in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8137, 80.5907, at an elevation of about 1287 metres.
Who operates Gouravilla Estate?
Gouravilla Estate is operated by Horana Plantations Plc, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Gouravilla Estate produce?
Gouravilla Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Gouravilla Estate hold?
Gouravilla Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Gouravilla Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,868 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (699 mm).
How does Gouravilla Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Gouravilla Estate recorded 3,868 mm in 2025, 101% more rain than the 1,923 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].
