The Inn at Youngberg Hill
by
Terry Sullivan
Summary: Setting atop a hill overlooking vineyards and the Oregon countryside, the Inn at Youngberg Hill offers travelers deluxe accommodations in a tranquil setting. This is a perfect base for exploring the many wineries in the Willamette Valley. Close by, McMinnville offers many restaurants at all budget levels.
The inn offers eight rooms including four suites with king-sized beds and four guest rooms with queen-sized beds. We stayed in the Jura suite. The spacious room had a king-sized bed in one area and a sitting area overlooking breathtaking views of vineyards and countryside. The sitting area had two comfortable chairs. To the corner of the bedroom area, there is a gas log fireplace. This is a dual fireplace that can be seen from the bedroom and from the large bathtub in the bathroom.
The wine theme is central to the room’s decor. End tables are made from barrel staves and heads. The bed’s headboard is also made from wine barrel staves. In the bathroom, two sinks on the vanity are made from melted wine bottles. The wine theme is also influenced by the views from the windows. No matter what season the surrounding vineyards tell their story.
Relaxing in the sitting area we observed two different morning views. The views were obstructed by dense fog on our first morning. By 9:00 am the fog began to lift providing magnificent, although slightly eerie views of the countryside. Our second morning was a complete contrast. We observed clear skies, a sunrise and distant views.
There are a few amenities in the room. There is a Keurig coffee maker in the room with four coffee K-cups.
If you prefer tea, you can go downstairs to the dining area where there is an assortment of teas and hot water. Next to the teas there is a canister filled with cookies. A sign states a simple truth, “There are no calories in vacation cookies.” Other in-room amenities include shampoo, conditioner and bath gel in the shower area. A bottle of wine is for sale in the room. There is also wine and other beverages in a refrigerator in the dining area. The room does not have a television. The Internet signal was very good so one option is to watch movies and shows on a computer or tablet. Your other option, if you have to watch television, is to watch the television in one of the lounge rooms on the first floor.
The rooms are comfortable, quiet and come with terrific tranquil views.
Breakfast
The inn serves a two-course breakfast. On our first morning we had a rosemary melon salad with mini-muffins. For the main breakfast entrée the staff served a breakfast burrito. Coffee, teas, orange juice and water are also served for breakfast.
Our second morning breakfast featured Youngberg Hill Inn’s homemade granola and yogurt. The entrée included sausage links and pumpkin French toast.
The Lounges
There are two lounge areas next to each other on the first floor. The larger of the two has a brick fireplace with brickwork covering one wall, a leather sofa and chairs for a sitting area. At one end of the room windows provide views of the vineyards and countryside. A telescope at the corner of the room provides close up views of the landscape. There is a large collection of books for those who enjoy reading.
Next to the large lounge (pictured) there is a smaller room that has a large screen television on the wall. A sofa and loveseat provide sitting space. At a corner of the room there is a computer and printer. Outside of these two rooms there is a wrap around deck. Sitting areas, some with tables, provide a romantic escape for those who would like to taste wine and enjoy the views.
4:00 PM Wine Tasting
Guests are encouraged to go to the tasting room, on the first level, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm for a tasting of the Youngberg Hill Wines. The tasting room is adjacent to the lounge rooms. Both guests at the inn and wine tourists taste wines in the tasting room. The brightly lit room has a small tasting counter. Curved sofas provide seating while small tables made out of oak barrel wood provide a place to taste wines away from the tasting counter. A fireplace on one wall makes the room cozy during the colder months.
We were able to attend the first day of our stay. Wayne Bailey, owner, was pouring wines and talking about the wines and the different vineyard blocks.
The Inn at Youngberg Hill
10660 SW Youngberg Hill Road
McMinnville, Oregon 97128
GPS: N45º 11.438’ W123º 17.420’
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Article written December 2013
