In short: Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands is a black tea estate in the Badulla District of Sri Lanka, operated by Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands is a black tea estate located in the Badulla District of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 757 metres. The estate is operated by Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea buyer and distributor.
Terroir & Climate
At 757 metres above sea level, Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands sits within what is typically classified as a low- to mid-elevation tea-growing zone in Sri Lanka's Uva region. Estates at this altitude generally experience warmer daytime temperatures and more pronounced diurnal variation than higher-altitude counterparts, factors that tend to influence the pace of leaf maturation and the development of flavour compounds. The Badulla District's position on the island's eastern flank means that estates here are often subject to the influence of both monsoon systems, with the Yala season (May to August) typically bringing drier conditions that can intensify leaf character.
The interplay of elevation, rainfall pattern, and temperature range at this altitude tends to favour a growing cycle that permits steady leaf production for much of the year. Estates in this mid-range elevation band often produce teas that balance body and brightness, though the precise character depends heavily on processing decisions and the timing of plucking relative to the seasonal dry winds that shape Uva's reputation.
Tea Produced
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands produces black tea. Estates in the Badulla District at similar elevations typically yield teas with moderate body and a balance between malty depth and brisk astringency. Mid-grown Ceylon blacks from this region often show a copper-red liquor and a flavour profile that can range from smooth and rounded to more assertive, depending on the season and leaf grade. Teas produced during the drier Yala months in Uva estates are generally noted for a more pronounced character, while other seasons tend to yield gentler, more approachable cups.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with operations spanning production, blending, and distribution across global markets. Finlays sources from estates worldwide to supply retail brands, foodservice clients, and its own branded tea lines. The estate's presence in Finlays' supply chain suggests it meets the volume, consistency, and quality benchmarks required by a buyer serving large-scale commercial accounts, positioning Shawlands within the mainstream export segment of Sri Lanka's tea industry.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands lies at 7.0404, 81.2017 in Badulla District, Sri Lanka. Its 757 m elevation is the 135th highest of 421 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Adawatte Estate — under 1 km away · Adawatte Rd
- Madulsima Plantations, Battawatte — 4.8 km away · Uva Province
- Mahadowa Estate — 5.2 km away · Mahadowa Factory Road
- El Teb — 9.2 km away · Lunugala & Hewa Eliya (or Badulla North)
- Aruna, Passara Tea Shakthi, Aruna Passara — 11 km away · Uva Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands (757 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands recorded 2,890 mm in 2025, 27% more than the 2,276 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xuan\u0027En Wutai Changchen Tea Industry Co., Ltd. | Enshi City, China | 760 m | 1,627 mm | 21.7 °C |
| Galpaya | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 754 m | 2,750 mm | 26.1 °C |
| Carolyn Estate | Nilgiris-Wayanad. Tamil Nadu, India | 761 m | 2,024 mm | 27.8 °C |
| Cherakara Tea Estate | Thalappuzha Police Station Rd, India | 769 m | 2,910 mm | 26.3 °C |
| Uplands | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 775 m | 2,071 mm | 26.7 °C |
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands Compared with Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands is drier than 57% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 68% of the others by elevation; cooler than 62% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands 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 | Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 757 m | 290 m | 6 to 1,962 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,890 mm | 3,080 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 27.6 °C | 28.8 °C | 18.9 to 31.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.5 °C | 21.8 °C | 12.4 to 24.3 °C |
Observed Climate at Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands’s coordinates recorded 2,890 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (685 mm) and the driest was May (74 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.6 °C and overnight lows 19.5 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,890 mm |
| Wettest month | November (685 mm) |
| Driest month | May (74 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands located?
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands is in Badulla District, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0404, 81.2017, at an elevation of about 757 metres.
Who operates Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands?
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands is operated by Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands produce?
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,890 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (685 mm).
How does Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Hapugastenne Plantations, Shawlands recorded 2,890 mm in 2025, 27% more rain than the 2,276 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].
