In short: Uva Halpewatte is a tea estate in Sri Lanka's Uva Province, situated at 1,030 metres elevation and known to supply Finlays.
Uva Halpewatte is a tea estate located in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 1,030 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a significant buyer and processor in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,030 metres, Uva Halpewatte occupies a mid-elevation position that typically experiences the cooler temperatures and increased diurnal variation associated with estates above 1,000 metres. Uva Province is subject to a distinctive seasonal wind pattern: the southwest monsoon brings rain to much of Sri Lanka from May to September, but Uva, sheltered by the central highlands, tends to remain relatively dry during this period. Instead, the northeast monsoon from December to March generally delivers moisture to the region, creating a growing environment that differs markedly from estates on the island's western and southern slopes.
This alternating pattern of dry and wet seasons, combined with the estate's latitude of approximately 6.9°N, tends to influence the concentration of flavour compounds in the leaf. Estates at this elevation in Uva often benefit from slower growth during drier months, which can contribute to the development of secondary metabolites. The region's volcanic soils and the interplay of temperature, humidity and wind exposure typically shape the character of teas grown here, though specific soil composition and microclimate vary considerably even within a single province.
Tea Produced
Uva Halpewatte produces black tea, the dominant style manufactured in Uva Province. Teas from mid-elevation Uva estates typically yield a cup with pronounced brightness and a brisk, astringent character. The region is often associated with a distinctive malty or menthol-like note, particularly in teas produced during the dry season when easterly winds prevail. While individual estate output varies, black teas from this altitude band in Uva generally offer a balance between the body found in low-grown Ceylon teas and the delicacy of high-elevation lots, with a cup profile that tends towards medium strength and good clarity.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Uva Halpewatte is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with extensive blending, packing and distribution operations across multiple continents. Finlays sources from numerous origins and typically procures both for its own branded products and for private-label contracts with retailers and foodservice clients. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests that Uva Halpewatte's production meets the quality and volume expectations of a large-scale commercial operation, and that its teas are likely destined for blended products in mainstream retail channels rather than single-estate specialty offerings.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Uva Halpewatte lies at 6.8895, 81.0346 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1030 m elevation is the 18th highest of 28 estates we map in Uva Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Namunukula Plantations, Kinellan — 2.9 km away
- Hapugastenne Plantations, New Burgh Green Tea — 3.0 km away
- Demodera Estate — 3.8 km away · Demodera - Spring Valley - Badulla Rd
- Malwatte Valley Plantations, Sarina Group, Neluwa — 4.1 km away
- Malwatte Valley Plantations, Uva Highlands — 5.7 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Uva Halpewatte
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Uva Halpewatte (1,030 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Uva Halpewatte recorded 2,416 mm in 2025, 8% less than the 2,613 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,025 m | 4,013 mm | 24.0 °C |
| Namingomba Tea Estates Limited | Thyolo, Malawi | 1,022 m | 1,525 mm | 24.1 °C |
| Udapussellawa Plantations, Duckwari | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,041 m | 3,680 mm | 23.7 °C |
| Goomtee Tea Estate | Darjeeling, India | 1,010 m | 2,805 mm | 22.5 °C |
| IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) | Igembe South, Kenya | 1,008 m | 1,042 mm | 26.7 °C |
Uva Halpewatte Compared with Uva Province
In Uva Province, Uva Halpewatte is wetter than 63% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 63% of the others by elevation; warmer than 63% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Uva Halpewatte 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 | Uva Halpewatte | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,030 m | 1,169 m | 560 to 1,535 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,416 mm | 2,319 mm | 2,188 to 2,899 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.7 °C | 25.1 °C | 22.4 to 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.8 °C | 16.4 °C | 14.5 to 20.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Uva Halpewatte (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Uva Halpewatte’s coordinates recorded 2,416 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (638 mm) and the driest was May (50 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.7 °C and overnight lows 16.8 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,416 mm |
| Wettest month | November (638 mm) |
| Driest month | May (50 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Uva Halpewatte located?
Uva Halpewatte is in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8895, 81.0346, at an elevation of about 1030 metres.
What type of tea does Uva Halpewatte produce?
Uva Halpewatte is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Uva Halpewatte supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Uva Halpewatte as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Uva Halpewatte receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,416 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (638 mm).
How does Uva Halpewatte compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Uva Halpewatte recorded 2,416 mm in 2025, 8% less rain than the 2,613 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].