Herman Gunaratne is one of a handful of native Sri Lankans who were trained as tea masters by the former British colonial tea companies. Gunaratne has worked in the business for over fifty years, and is one of the most successful and recognized tea makers today. As the deputy chairman of Dilmah Tea, he works alongside the innovative founder of the company, Merrill J. Fernando, to ensure their teas establish the criteria for the highest quality standards. Together, they have protected the coveted status of Ceylon tea by inventing the concept of single origin tea, grown and packaged directly on the estates they manage.

The Dimbula District is a distinctive part of Sri Lanka’s foremost recognized tea growing region, The Hill Country, which also comprises the picturesque Nuwara Eliya District. Dimbula and its location within the Bogawantalawa, also known as “The Golden Valley” was one of the first areas to be planted in the late nineteen century. Per its nickname, the landscape is most notable for its lush greenery, waterfalls and steeply sloping tea plantations growing what is considered the best quality tea on the island. The difficult to reach region is accessible via a long car journey, a train to nearby Hatton, or more easily a float plane landing directly on Castlereagh Reservoir near the highly recommended Relais & Châteaux Ceylon Tea Trails with views of the Dunkeld Estate tea plantation where our storytelling takes place.