In short: Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group is a low-grown black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operated by the Willie Group and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group is a low-grown tea producer located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province at an elevation of 416 metres. The estate is operated by the Willie Group and is recorded in trade data as a supplier to Finlays, the international tea and beverage group.
Terroir & Climate
At 416 metres, Andaradeniya sits within the low-grown category of Sri Lankan tea production, where estates typically experience warmer temperatures and more consistent year-round growing conditions than their high-elevation counterparts. Low-grown regions in Sri Lanka generally benefit from faster leaf growth and higher yields, though the cup character tends to differ markedly from the brisk, bright profiles associated with the central highlands.
The Southern Province, positioned along Sri Lanka's southwestern coast, typically receives the influence of both monsoon seasons, with estates in the region often managing two distinct flush periods. This latitude and elevation combination generally favours robust leaf development and a growing cycle less punctuated by dormancy than that seen at higher altitudes.
Tea Produced
Andaradeniya produces black tea. Low-grown Sri Lankan estates in the Southern Province typically yield teas with fuller body and stronger, more assertive flavour profiles than high-grown Ceylon teas. The cup character at this elevation often shows less astringency and a darker liquor, with estates in the region generally producing teas suited to blending and to markets where strength and colour are valued over the delicate aromatics of high-elevation leaf.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Andaradeniya Estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated player with operations spanning tea production, trading, and branded consumer products across multiple markets. This relationship positions the estate within a supply chain that typically channels low-grown Sri Lankan leaf into blending programmes and retail own-label segments, particularly in Western Europe and the Middle East. Finlays' procurement footprint suggests that Andaradeniya's output is likely valued for consistency and volume rather than single-estate identity.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group lies at 6.3470, 80.5576 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 416 m elevation is the 4th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Lumbini Tea Factory — under 1 km away · District -Matara
- Panilkanda — under 1 km away
- New Deniyaya Tea Estate — 1.0 km away · A17
- Richiland — 1.1 km away
- Kingsbru Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Kingsbru — 1.1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group (416 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group recorded 2,650 mm in 2025, 23% more than the 2,151 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE UNITED NILGIRI TEA ESTATES CO LTD | TAMIL NADU, India | 415 m | 1,143 mm | 30.9 °C |
| Thai Tea Suwirun Co., Ltd. | Chiangrai, Thailand | 404 m | 2,054 mm | 29.3 °C |
| Young Tea Private Limited | Tamil Nadu, India | 433 m | 798 mm | 32.2 °C |
| KDU, Kuttapitiya | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 434 m | 3,432 mm | 27.6 °C |
| Mount Eliza | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 439 m | 3,329 mm | 28.2 °C |
Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group is drier than 67% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 98% of the others by elevation; cooler than 98% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group against the 133 other estates we map in Southern Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 416 m | 46 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,650 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 27.6 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.4 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group’s coordinates recorded 2,650 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (510 mm) and the driest was February (52 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.6 °C and overnight lows 21.4 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,650 mm |
| Wettest month | November (510 mm) |
| Driest month | February (52 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group located?
Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.3470, 80.5576, at an elevation of about 416 metres.
Who operates Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group?
Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group is operated by Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group produce?
Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,650 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (510 mm).
How does Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Andaradeniya Estate, Willie Group recorded 2,650 mm in 2025, 23% more rain than the 2,151 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].
