In short: Clydesdale Tea Estate is a black-tea producer in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka, operating at 1,379 metres under the management of Agrapatana Plantations.
Clydesdale Tea Estate is a black-tea production facility located in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka's central highlands, operating at an elevation of 1,379 metres. The estate is managed by Agrapatana Plantations. Nuwara Eliya is recognised as one of Sri Lanka's premier high-grown tea regions, and estates at this altitude typically fall within the classification range that shapes the character and market positioning of Ceylon teas.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,379 metres above sea level, Clydesdale occupies a mid-to-high elevation within the Nuwara Eliya district, where cooler temperatures and significant diurnal variation tend to slow leaf development. Estates at this altitude in Sri Lanka's central highlands generally experience a growing environment shaped by cloud cover, consistent moisture, and moderate solar intensity, conditions that typically favour slower, more controlled vegetative growth compared to low-elevation counterparts.
The Nuwara Eliya region lies within the wet zone of Sri Lanka, and its latitude—just under seven degrees north of the equator—means relatively stable day length year-round, though the interplay of the southwest and northeast monsoons tends to create two principal quality seasons. Elevations in this range often yield leaf that is processed into teas with lighter body and brisk, aromatic profiles, though much depends on plucking standards, processing protocols, and seasonal timing.
Tea Produced
Clydesdale produces black tea, the dominant category across Sri Lanka's high-grown estates. Teas from the Nuwara Eliya district at this elevation typically exhibit a lighter body and brisk, clean cup character, often with floral or grassy notes and a pronounced astringency. The cooler temperatures and slower leaf maturation common to this altitude tend to support the development of aromatic compounds, and the resulting liquor is generally bright in colour. However, actual cup profile will vary significantly with season, plucking standard, and the specifics of withering, rolling, and oxidation employed at the estate's factory.
Operator
Agrapatana Plantations manages Clydesdale Tea Estate. No other estates operated by Agrapatana Plantations are currently recorded in our directory, though this does not preclude the existence of additional properties under the company's management.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Clydesdale Tea Estate lies at 6.8776, 80.6858 in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Its 1379 m elevation is the 3rd highest of 6 estates we map in Nuwara Eliya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral — under 1 km away · Central Province
- Agarapatana Plantations, Argra Ouvah — 2.4 km away · Central Province
- Agrakanda — 3.1 km away · Central Province
- Horana Plantations, Bambrakelly Group — 3.1 km away · Central Province
- Horana Plantations, Eildon Hall — 3.1 km away · Central Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Clydesdale Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Clydesdale Tea Estate (1,379 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Clydesdale Tea Estate recorded 3,114 mm in 2025, 18% more than the 2,644 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maskeliya Plantations, Craig | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,383 m | 2,308 mm | 23.5 °C |
| Gorkha Tea Estate Pvt Ltd | Sunperpani Fikkal, Nepal | 1,386 m | 2,277 mm | 20.5 °C |
| Vagavurrai | Kerala, India | 1,369 m | 3,791 mm | 22.7 °C |
| Dewata Tea Estate | Kab. Bandung, Indonesia | 1,391 m | 2,942 mm | 22.8 °C |
| KYIMBILA | Mbeya region, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,391 m | 1,902 mm | 21.6 °C |
Clydesdale Tea Estate Compared with Nuwara Eliya
In Nuwara Eliya, Clydesdale Tea Estate is drier than 80% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 60% of the others by elevation; warmer than 60% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Clydesdale Tea Estate against the 5 other estates we map in Nuwara Eliya, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Clydesdale Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,379 m | 1,337 m | 1,231 to 1,892 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,114 mm | 3,746 mm | 2,796 to 4,232 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.6 °C | 22.4 °C | 19.4 to 23.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.6 °C | 15.7 °C | 13.0 to 16.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Clydesdale Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Clydesdale Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 3,114 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (605 mm) and the driest was February (38 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.6 °C and overnight lows 15.6 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,114 mm |
| Wettest month | November (605 mm) |
| Driest month | February (38 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clydesdale Tea Estate located?
Clydesdale Tea Estate is in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8776, 80.6858, at an elevation of about 1379 metres.
Who operates Clydesdale Tea Estate?
Clydesdale Tea Estate is operated by Agrapatana Plantations, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Clydesdale Tea Estate produce?
Clydesdale Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Clydesdale Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,114 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (605 mm).
How does Clydesdale Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Clydesdale Tea Estate recorded 3,114 mm in 2025, 18% more rain than the 2,644 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].
