Tractor Tram & Tasting: The Fruit Company Orchard Tour in Hood River

On the Fruit Company Tour, visitors climb aboard a tractor-pulled tram and roll through productive orchards in the Hood River Valley, a short drive from the Columbia River Gorge. Located at 2900 Van Horn Drive, Hood River and operating from the historic facilities at 2850 Van Horn Dr, this 90-minute experience combines agricultural history, hands-on tasting, and a behind-the-scenes look at basket-making at The Fruit Company. The setting is apple- and pear-strewn rows, old farming equipment, ripening fruit, and sweeping valley views that explain why this place helped establish Hood River as an agricultural hub. The tram winds between trees and reveals varieties that change with the season — cherry blossoms in spring, summer stone fruit, and crisp apples and pears in fall. Guides recount early twentieth-century farm stories and point out specialized machinery used to harvest, sort, and process fruit. Inside the long-standing packing and assembly space you’ll watch specialists assemble gift baskets, see conveyor systems and label presses, and learn the steps that turn orchard harvests into polished, shippable gifts. Few tours let you taste fruit directly from the source, climb out for photos beneath orchard canopies, and then walk into a historic building where you can customize your own gift. The experience balances sensory moments — the crush of ripe fruit, the scent of wood and wax on packing lines — with practical insight into sustainable farming choices and the local economy. Families, food lovers, and curious travelers will appreciate the pace: mostly seated on the tractor tram with short, accessible stops for tasting and photographs. The Fruit Company’s partnership with nearby Mt. Hood Winery is practical too — parking is free between The Fruit Company and Mt. Hood Winery (follow the entrance into Mt. Hood Winery because parking lot is shared). Tours run select days from May through October, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, making them an ideal midday excursion during a longer Hood River itinerary. Plan to bring a camera, comfortable shoes, and an appetite for seasonal flavors. Whether you’re tracing the arc of a pear from branch to box or crafting a personalized gift, the Fruit Company Tour offers a clear, local story about food, place, and the people who keep an agricultural valley thriving. During the ride guides point out heritage rootstocks, irrigation lines, and demonstration plots that illustrate cold-hardy varieties and integrated pest management. Seasonal sampling depends on harvest timing; at peak summer you might sample sweet cherries and plums, while autumn samplings favor late-season apples and pears. The tour also offers insight into packaging choices that reduce waste and support shipping durability. Small groups keep the experience personal, and the mix of outdoor tram time and indoor factory viewing makes the tour accessible in various weather.