Steppe Cellars gets its name from the shrub steppe environment that surrounds us.  The Shrub Steppe is the term used to describe the native environment of low shrubs and bunchgrass that surrounds us here in the Yakima Valley, and can be found throughout much of the arid regions of the western United States. While at first glance it may seem like a barren region; upon closer examination the variety and beauty of the elements of this ecosystem can be seen.

One of the main shrubs in our shrub steppe environment is sagebrush.  Sagebrush are grayish-green evergreen bushes with a very distinctive scent ~ especially after a rain. There are several different species, some found in lower elevations, others higher up. They have a 3 lobed or tipped leaf. The leaves are small so less water can be lost through the leaf. Sagebrush provides great cover for many of the members in this environment. It flowers in late summer to early fall and is wind pollinated. You will be able to see sagebrush planted around the tasting room.

There are some other shrubs, or woody plants that you will be able to see when out hiking in the area.  Thymeleaf buckwheat is a very small woody plant. It only grows to about 3 inches tall. Its leaves help it to retain moisture. The flowers it produces in spring are beautiful colors of pink, yellow, and white.

Rabbitbrush can be found in many of the same places as sagebrush. It requires a little more moisture than sagebrush. It has yellow flowers that bloom late in the summer. Rabbitbrush is not strongly scented as sagebrush is, and its leaves are not lobed. The gray rabbitbrush has lots of little hairs on it that give it the grey look. The green rabbitbrush has very few hairs, making it appear greener.

Snow buckwheat flowers in late summer. It has a dusty-white appearance