After leaving the lively fun of Dreamland, we pulled into Blue Mule Winery in Fayetteville, Texas, ready for a little R&R—and this Harvest Host stop delivered in spades.

A Pastoral Paradise

The winery’s grounds were lovely. A grove of trees in the front yard doubled as the outdoor seating area, where patrons sipped their drinks while chickens and guinea hens mingled freely at their feet. The alpacas and mules had their own pen right beside where we parked The Raven, and they watched us like we were the most interesting thing to happen all week. With three mules and two alpacas keeping tabs on us, we felt like VIPs—Very Important Passersby.

From Herd Protectors to Wine Protectors

After settling in, we took our usual dog walk around the grounds to let our chihuahuas stretch their tiny legs. Surprisingly, the mules and alpacas seemed very curious about us. They followed along the fence line, peering down at our pint-sized pups with big, soft eyes. Each dog got a chance to sniff the towering creatures, and everyone was surprisingly well-behaved. We later learned that both mules and alpacas are natural herd protectors and usually dislike dogs. Clearly, our pack had won them over—or at least didn’t seem worth the effort of a chase.

Bellied Up to the Bar

The winery itself was a delight. Inside the small barn-turned-bar, locals gathered to chat about everything from sangria slushies to the host’s crocheted vests. I was thrilled to finally enjoy a tasting of my own (instead of just watching John the Rockstar husband Laverty have all the fun).

The bartender, who was also the owners’ daughter, guided me through a delightful wine tasting experience—so delightful, in fact, that I opted for a second round. As we sipped and chatted, she shared crocheting tips and stories about the vineyard. The sangria slushy was a must-try, but I also fell for one of their reds and left with a bottle to take back to The Raven.

Feathery Drama

The next morning, we packed up for our departure, following our usual routine of walking the dogs. That’s when things took a dramatic turn. Finnegan, our brave little chihuahua, needed one last quick walk before we hit the road. However, this time the guinea hens were out in full force.

Spotting him from across the yard, a squadron of 10-15 squawking, flapping birds charged straight for us like they had a personal vendetta. Finnegan, who usually fancies himself the king of all creatures, froze in terror. I whisked him around to the back of the RV, but the guinea hens followed, clearly unwilling to forgive whatever offense they thought he’d committed.

Finally, I had to scoop him up and retreat inside the RV to restore peace. Poor Finnegan looked thoroughly defeated, his regal chihuahua pride in shambles. We gave him a cuddle and promised he was still the bravest muffin we’d ever met.

A Harvest Host Win

Blue Mule Winery was everything we could have hoped for in a Harvest Host stop: great wine, stunning views, friendly animals, and wonderful people. Between the wine slushies, alpaca curiosity, and feathery drama, it was a stop to remember.

Cheers to Fayetteville, where even the guinea hens have a sense of humor!