In short: Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande is a black tea estate in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, operating at 1,447 metres and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Uva Province, situated at an elevation of 1,447 metres. The estate operates under the name Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a significant participant in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,447 metres above sea level, the estate occupies a mid-elevation site in the Uva Province, a region characterised by its position in the south-eastern interior of Sri Lanka. Estates at this altitude typically experience cooler temperatures than lowland plantations, and the diurnal variation—marked differences between day and night temperatures—tends to slow leaf growth, often resulting in denser, more concentrated leaf material. The elevation places Ampttiakande in a zone where mist and cloud cover are common, particularly during the south-west monsoon months.
Uva Province is known for its distinctive seasonal wind patterns: the south-west monsoon generally brings cloud and moisture from June to August, while the north-east monsoon affects the region from December to February. These alternating wet and dry phases tend to shape the plucking calendar and influence the character of the leaf. Estates in this climatic band often produce teas with pronounced structure, though specific outcomes depend on processing decisions and the timing of the harvest relative to monsoon cycles.
Tea Produced
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande produces black tea. Mid-elevation estates in Uva Province typically yield teas with a robust body and a degree of briskness, though character can vary significantly depending on the season. Uva teas harvested during the dry, windy months—particularly July and August—are often noted for a more intense, sometimes mentholated profile, while leaf taken outside this window tends to produce mellower, more rounded cups. At 1,447 metres, the estate's altitude generally supports the development of structured, flavourful leaf, though the precise sensory profile will depend on plucking standards, withering conditions, and oxidation protocols employed on site.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate's recorded supply relationship with Finlays places it within a global network of tea sourcing. Finlays, a diversified plantation and tea business with operations and sourcing arrangements spanning multiple origins, acts as both producer and trader, supplying major international brands and packers. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests that leaf from Ampttiakande enters a supply chain oriented towards volume markets and blended products, though Finlays also services specialist and branded segments depending on quality and seasonal character. This relationship indicates that the estate is integrated into established commercial channels rather than operating primarily in the auction system or boutique retail.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande lies at 6.7915, 81.0413 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1447 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 28 estates we map in Uva Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- New Roseland — 3.6 km away
- Maskeliya Plantations, Craig — 4.1 km away
- Agarapatana Plantations, Dambatenne — 4.3 km away
- Amba Estate — 4.9 km away · Bandarawela
- Nayabedde Tea Estate — 5.8 km away · Badulla district
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande (1,447 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande recorded 2,308 mm in 2025, 11% less than the 2,597 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamong Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,445 m | 2,552 mm | 20.5 °C |
| Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,450 m | 3,081 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Kenya Tea Development Agency, Michimikuru | Meru, Kenya | 1,443 m | 770 mm | 24.6 °C |
| Viriparai Super Tea Estate | Munnar, India | 1,452 m | 3,791 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Bogawantalawa Plantations, Campion | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,442 m | 2,792 mm | 21.8 °C |
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande Compared with Uva Province
In Uva Province, Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande is drier than 70% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 96% of the others by elevation; cooler than 96% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande 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 | Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,447 m | 1,131 m | 560 to 1,535 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,308 mm | 2,319 mm | 2,188 to 2,899 mm |
| Mean daily high | 23.1 °C | 25.2 °C | 22.4 to 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.6 °C | 16.6 °C | 14.5 to 20.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande’s coordinates recorded 2,308 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (589 mm) and the driest was June (42 mm). Daytime highs averaged 23.1 °C and overnight lows 14.6 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,308 mm |
| Wettest month | November (589 mm) |
| Driest month | June (42 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 23.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande located?
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande is in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.7915, 81.0413, at an elevation of about 1447 metres.
Who operates Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande?
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande is operated by Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande produce?
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,308 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (589 mm).
How does Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande recorded 2,308 mm in 2025, 11% less rain than the 2,597 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].
