The history of Kuttinkhan Estate is rich and spans three generations. Originally owned by the British Crawford family, the Rebello family purchased it in 1957 as they sought to move away from the declining clay tile manufacturing industry in Mangalore. From 1957 to 1984, Joseph M.J Rebello and his brothers managed the estate. In 1984, a family partition resulted in the birth of Kuttinkhan Lower Estate, with Dr. Subir Rebello taking over its management for the past 39 years. Mayuk Rebello joined the estate in early 2021 with a vision to continue the legacy.
Kuttinkhan Estate is nestled amid lush rainforests near Chikmagalur, bordering the Muthodi/Badra Forest Reserve. The name 'Kuttinkhan' translates to 'Dark/Mean/Difficult Forest' due to its challenging, wildlife-rich terrain when it was first established.
The estate primarily cultivates Arabica Coffee but also grows Robusta Coffee, Pepper, and Arecanut, thanks to its varying elevation between 2700ft. and 4100ft.
Kuttinkhan's unique location, surrounded by two forests, the Muthodi Forest Reserve and the Masagali Forest Reserve, provides a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Native trees to the Western Ghats, such as Atti, Basiri, Soapnut, and Teak, can be found on the estate. As for wildlife, it hosts Bison, various types of deer, Sambar, Wild-boar, Giant-Malabar Squirrels, Monkeys, and occasionally, more elusive species like Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, in addition to birds and snakes native to the region.
