In short: Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse is a black tea estate in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at 1,104 metres elevation, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse is a black tea estate located in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 1,104 metres. The estate is operated by a company of the same name and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major multinational tea packer and distributor.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,104 metres, Wewesse sits in the mid-elevation band typical of Uva Province, where estates often experience the influence of the region's distinctive seasonal wind patterns. Uva lies in the eastern rain shadow of the central highlands, and many gardens in this zone receive the benefit of the southwest monsoon followed by dry, cooler winds from July to September. This alternating cycle tends to stress the tea bushes in a manner that can concentrate flavour compounds in the leaf.
Estates at this altitude in Sri Lanka generally enjoy a temperate climate with moderate diurnal temperature variation, which typically supports a slower, more even rate of shoot growth. The soils in Uva Province are generally lateritic, free-draining, and well-suited to Camellia sinensis. These conditions, combined with the elevation, tend to encourage the development of aromatic complexity and structure in black tea.
Tea Produced
Wewesse produces black tea. Uva-grown black teas from mid-elevation gardens are often characterised by a brisk, assertive cup with pronounced aromatic notes and a clean finish. Estates in this region and elevation band typically yield teas with good colour, body, and a distinctive character that reflects the seasonal influence of the dry eastern winds. The style tends to appeal to buyers looking for teas with clarity and strength suitable for blending or single-origin retail.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Wewesse is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea businesses, with operations spanning production, blending, and distribution. Finlays sources tea from estates across Sri Lanka and other origins, supplying major retail brands, foodservice chains, and private-label customers globally. This connection places Wewesse within a supply chain oriented towards volume buyers seeking consistent, mid-elevation Ceylon black teas. The relationship suggests that the estate's output meets the quality and traceability standards required by large-scale international packers.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse lies at 6.9575, 81.1206 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1104 m elevation is the 16th highest of 28 estates we map in Uva Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Balangoda Plantations, Debedde — 2.0 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Spring Valley Group — 4.3 km away
- Namunukula Plantations, Gonakelle — 4.3 km away
- El Teb — 5.9 km away · Lunugala & Hewa Eliya (or Badulla North)
- Balangoda Plantations, Telebedde — 5.9 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse (1,104 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse recorded 2,624 mm in 2025, 23% less than the 3,403 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 Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd, Mukottu Mudi Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 1,100 m | 3,471 mm | 24.0 °C |
| MAHA UVA TEA FACTORY | WALAPANE, Sri Lanka | 1,113 m | 2,831 mm | 25.3 °C |
| Maskeliya Plantations, Strathspey | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,114 m | 4,839 mm | 23.0 °C |
| Southdown Estate | Chipinge, Zimbabwe | 1,114 m | 1,099 mm | 24.7 °C |
| Kalaar I | Kerala, India | 1,088 m | 4,774 mm | 23.2 °C |
Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse Compared with Uva Province
In Uva Province, Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse is wetter than 70% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 56% of the others by elevation; warmer than 56% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse 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 | Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,104 m | 1,169 m | 560 to 1,535 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,624 mm | 2,319 mm | 2,188 to 2,899 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.3 °C | 25.1 °C | 22.4 to 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.6 °C | 16.4 °C | 14.5 to 20.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse’s coordinates recorded 2,624 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (600 mm) and the driest was February (58 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.3 °C and overnight lows 16.6 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,624 mm |
| Wettest month | November (600 mm) |
| Driest month | February (58 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse located?
Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse is in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9575, 81.1206, at an elevation of about 1104 metres.
Who operates Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse?
Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse is operated by Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse produce?
Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,624 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (600 mm).
How does Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse recorded 2,624 mm in 2025, 23% less rain than the 3,403 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].
