In short: Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Uva Province at 1,408 metres, known to supply Finlays.
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa is a black tea estate located in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 1,408 metres. The estate is operated under the name Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa, and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a prominent name in the international tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,408 metres above sea level, the estate occupies an elevation within the mid-grown to high-grown transition zone typical of Sri Lanka's interior highlands. Estates at this altitude generally experience cooler ambient temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland plantations, factors that tend to slow leaf maturation and encourage the development of more complex flavour compounds in the harvested flush.
Uva Province is subject to the influence of both monsoon systems that shape Sri Lanka's climate, though the region's dry winds—particularly during the July to September period—are widely regarded as instrumental in shaping the character of teas grown here. The combination of elevation, exposure, and seasonal aridity typically promotes a concentration of oils and polyphenols in the leaf, though specific outcomes depend on microclimate and cultivation practice.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Uva-grown teas at this elevation are often associated with a brisk, assertive cup profile, sometimes exhibiting notes that range from malty and full-bodied to those with a distinctive seasonal pungency when processed during the district's dry, windy quality season. The interplay of altitude and regional weather patterns generally favours teas with good colour, strength, and a certain aromatic intensity, though cup character will vary with flush timing and manufacturing technique.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with a significant presence in sourcing, blending, and distribution across global markets. Supply relationships with such firms typically indicate that the estate's production enters commercial blending streams destined for retail and foodservice channels, rather than being marketed as a single-estate or specialty lot. This positioning suggests a focus on consistent volume and quality standards suited to the demands of mainstream black tea supply chains.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa lies at 6.8017, 80.9803 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1408 m elevation is the 3rd highest of 28 estates we map in Uva Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Nayabedde Tea Estate — 1.1 km away · Badulla district
- Pita Ratmalie Tea Factory — 2.3 km away · B147
- Hapugahawatte, Mount Uva — 2.9 km away
- Agarapatana Plantations, Dambatenne — 3.3 km away
- Gold Buds Uva Tea — 3.3 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa (1,408 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa recorded 2,188 mm in 2025, 10% more than the 1,995 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,409 m | 3,114 mm | 22.4 °C |
| Tillyrie Estate | Colombo, Sri Lanka | 1,407 m | 2,792 mm | 22.1 °C |
| MABAYI | Cibitoke, Burundi | 1,413 m | 1,972 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Rwanda Mountain Tea | KG 438 St, Rwanda | 1,413 m | 1,053 mm | 26.3 °C |
| Kayonza | Ntungamo, Uganda | 1,416 m | 1,045 mm | 26.7 °C |
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa Compared with Uva Province
In Uva Province, Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa is the driest of the 28 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 93% of the others by elevation; cooler than 85% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa against the 27 other estates we map in Uva Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,408 m | 1,131 m | 560 to 1,535 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,188 mm | 2,319 mm | 2,188 to 2,899 mm |
| Mean daily high | 23.4 °C | 25.2 °C | 22.4 to 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.5 °C | 16.6 °C | 14.5 to 20.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa’s coordinates recorded 2,188 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (582 mm) and the driest was February (44 mm). Daytime highs averaged 23.4 °C and overnight lows 15.5 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,188 mm |
| Wettest month | November (582 mm) |
| Driest month | February (44 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 23.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa located?
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa is in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8017, 80.9803, at an elevation of about 1408 metres.
Who operates Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa?
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa is operated by Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa produce?
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,188 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (582 mm).
How does Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa recorded 2,188 mm in 2025, 10% more rain than the 1,995 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].
