In short: Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya is a black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at 827 metres, recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya is a black tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 827 metres. The estate operates under the name Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major player in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 827 metres above sea level, this estate occupies the mid-grown category typical of Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa Province, where the balance between warmth and elevation tends to favour consistent cropping throughout much of the year. Estates at this altitude in Sri Lanka generally experience moderate daytime temperatures and cooler nights compared to low-grown zones, conditions that can encourage steady vegetative growth without the extreme diurnal swings found at higher elevations.
The province's tropical monsoon climate typically delivers two main rainfall periods, which often shape the character and seasonality of the crop. Mid-grown estates in this latitude range tend to produce leaf with moderate body and colour, though specific outcomes depend on clonal material, soil composition, and manufacturing practice—none of which are recorded here.
Tea Produced
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya produces black tea. Mid-grown Sri Lankan teas from this elevation band typically yield a cup with reasonable strength and colour, falling between the lighter, more delicate profiles of high-grown Ceylon and the robust, malty character often associated with low-grown leaf. Estates in Sabaragamuwa Province generally produce teas suited to blending, valued for their consistency and balanced astringency, though cup character will vary by season, processing, and the specific cultivars in the field.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with blending, packing, and distribution operations serving retail and foodservice customers worldwide. This relationship suggests that Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya's output enters a supply chain oriented towards volume blending and branded products, rather than direct estate-origin retail. Finlays' sourcing footprint spans multiple origins, and estates supplying the company typically produce teas that meet specifications for consistency, quality assurance, and traceability required by downstream buyers in major consumer markets.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya lies at 7.1168, 80.4240 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 827 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- New Mount Carmel — 3.0 km away
- Ingurugala — 3.5 km away · Central Province
- Yuillefield Tea Estate — 4.6 km away · Western Province
- Kegalle Plantations, Yataderiya — 7.3 km away
- Kahawatte Plantations, Craighead — 11 km away · Central Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya (827 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya recorded 3,033 mm in 2025, 37% more than the 2,220 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIONYO | 710, Kenya | 821 m | 1,066 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Wallardie Tea Estate | Vandiperiyar Idukki, India | 817 m | 2,600 mm | 25.1 °C |
| Choke Chamroen Tea Co Ltd | Chiang Rai, Thailand | 806 m | 1,748 mm | 26.0 °C |
| Moongalaar Tea Estate | Periyar, India | 804 m | 2,600 mm | 25.8 °C |
| Balangoda Plantations, Cecilton | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 797 m | 3,088 mm | 25.7 °C |
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya is drier than 69% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 99% of the others by elevation; cooler than 99% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya against the 74 other estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 827 m | 164 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,033 mm | 3,412 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.6 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.8 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya’s coordinates recorded 3,033 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (893 mm) and the driest was February (18 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.6 °C and overnight lows 17.8 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and November the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,033 mm |
| Wettest month | November (893 mm) |
| Driest month | February (18 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya located?
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.1168, 80.4240, at an elevation of about 827 metres.
Who operates Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya?
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya is operated by Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya produce?
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,033 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (893 mm).
How does Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kegalle Plantations, Dotel Oya recorded 3,033 mm in 2025, 37% more rain than the 2,220 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].
