In short: Lakvinka is a low-grown black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, at 238 metres elevation, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Lakvinka is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 238 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is known to supply Finlays, a major actor in the global tea supply chain. The operator of the estate is not recorded in available industry data.
Terroir & Climate
At 238 metres, Lakvinka falls into Sri Lanka's low-grown category, a designation that typically applies to estates below approximately 600 metres. Low-grown Ceylon teas are generally cultivated in warmer, more humid conditions than their high-grown counterparts, and the growing cycle at this elevation tends to be faster, with year-round production common in southern coastal and near-coastal zones.
The Southern Province, lying in the island's southernmost belt, experiences a climate influenced by both monsoon patterns and proximity to the Indian Ocean. Estates at this latitude and elevation often contend with higher temperatures and greater humidity, conditions that typically favour vigorous growth and yield. These environmental factors tend to shape a leaf that is robust and well-suited to the production of strong, full-bodied black teas.
Tea Produced
Low-grown black teas from Sri Lanka's Southern Province are generally characterised by strength and body rather than the delicate complexity associated with high-elevation gardens. Estates at this altitude typically produce teas with a bold, malty character and good colour in the cup—qualities that make them well-suited to blending and to markets where robust, consistent flavour is valued. The faster growing conditions at lower elevations tend to yield a leaf that brews dark and full, with less aromatic nuance than high-grown Ceylon but with reliably strong structure.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Lakvinka's recorded supply relationship with Finlays situates the estate within a significant commercial network. Finlays operates as both grower and buyer across multiple origins and is a key consolidator in the global tea trade, supplying major retail and foodservice brands. The presence of Finlays as a known buyer suggests that Lakvinka's production is likely directed toward blended products and branded packaged tea rather than single-estate or specialty retail, reflecting the typical market orientation of low-grown Ceylon black tea.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Lakvinka lies at 6.2623, 80.5989 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 238 m elevation is the 20th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Nilrich — 1.0 km away
- Pasgoda — 1.3 km away
- Sunrise — 1.5 km away
- Dampahala — 3.6 km away
- Biyolta — 4.1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Lakvinka
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Lakvinka (238 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Lakvinka recorded 2,342 mm in 2025, 12% more than the 2,085 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yixian Qingye Tea Farm Co. Ltd - final packing and primary processing | Huang Shan, China | 241 m | 1,194 mm | 22.7 °C |
| Small Organic Farmers\u0027 Association (SOFA) | Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka | 232 m | 2,205 mm | 30.5 °C |
| Kairbetta Estate | Nilgiris, India | 231 m | 745 mm | 34.5 °C |
| Huzhou Jiasheng Tea Co., Ltd. | Zhejiang, China | 221 m | 1,708 mm | 22.1 °C |
| Forest Hill Tea | Hospital Road Erathna, Sri Lanka | 221 m | 4,574 mm | 29.0 °C |
Lakvinka Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Lakvinka is drier than 93% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 86% of the others by elevation; cooler than 85% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Lakvinka 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 | Lakvinka | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 238 m | 46 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,342 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.2 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.0 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Lakvinka (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Lakvinka’s coordinates recorded 2,342 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (439 mm) and the driest was February (47 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.2 °C and overnight lows 22.0 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,342 mm |
| Wettest month | November (439 mm) |
| Driest month | February (47 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lakvinka located?
Lakvinka is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.2623, 80.5989, at an elevation of about 238 metres.
What type of tea does Lakvinka produce?
Lakvinka is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Lakvinka supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Lakvinka as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Lakvinka receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,342 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (439 mm).
How does Lakvinka compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Lakvinka recorded 2,342 mm in 2025, 12% more rain than the 2,085 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].