10 Questions for Villa del Monte Winery's John Overstreet and Neil Perrelli

Meet the Owner is a weekly column that features business owners in the town of Los Gatos. Los Gatos Patch asks each owner the same 10 questions every week so the community can get to know the people behind our local businesses. 

Two men with a love for wine set out to open and are now the proud owners of several awards for their wine. Neil Perrelli and John Overstreet took their passion to the next level by making it their second full-time job and learning, practicing and perfecting their skills along the way.

Perrelli and Overstreet haven't lost sight of their roots, either. Aside from the fact that they are quite involved in the Los Gatos community, they donate their wines to several local fundraisers to give back to the town that has helped them so much.

is open for private tastings, and its wine can be purchased online as well.

10 Questions, Shoot!

Los Gatos Patch: What did you dream of being as a kid? 

Neil Perrelli: Lawyer

John Overstreet: Astronaut 

Patch: How does your personality play into your business? 

Overstreet: We are both particular, so we work hard at making things right. We worry about sweating the details, and that really makes for good wine.

Perrelli: Our styles complement each other, and we work well together. 

Patch: At what moment did you decide to open a business? 

Perrelli: I think we got the inkling to do it in 2002-2003. We started a wine cooperative in our neighborhood, got the bug and started a business in 2006, and have been working on advancing our skills ever since. 

Patch: What inspired you?

Perrelli: The first batch of wine we made turned out extremely well. We made a pinot noir, and it was wonderful. It excited me that we could make such a fine wine. We then started refining our techniques every year and perfecting the science behind it.  

Patch: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the town of Los Gatos?

Overstreet: Santa Cruz County. It took forever to get approval (about 2.5 years). That was our biggest challenge.

Patch: Describe the best thing about owning a business in the town of Los Gatos?

Perrelli: It is a small community, and they respect the quality of wine.

Overstreet: They have been pretty supportive of us, and we have been supportive by donating wines to events. The community spirit part is great as well. People seem to care about us and about us doing well. 

Patch: What is one thing you would never change about your business?

Perrelli: How good our wine is. Although I don't know that I would say that, because we are always trying to improve.

Overstreet: We wouldn't change our logo and our branding. We are very happy with that. 

Patch: What is your business' greatest asset?

Overstreet:  The two wine makers! We make our private tastings fun and educational at the same time.

Patch: What is your favorite spot in town?

Overstreet: The businesses that participate in the wine walk. We love that businesses open their doors up to us.

Patch: What's one thing the community should know about you?

Perrelli: That we really support the community. We have done a lot of donations for the schools, and more.

Overstreet: We try to give back to the community a lot. It benefits us and it benefits them.