Rising Stars: Meet Nico Papafil of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nico Papafil.

Hi Nico, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our journey to opening Melted Wings Winery started long before we ever had a building, permits, or wine on the shelves. Growing up in a Greek family, wine was always part of bringing people together. Some of my earliest memories are of family gatherings where stories were shared, meals were enjoyed, and homemade wine was poured around the table. Those experiences taught me that wine isn’t just a beverage — it’s a way to connect people.

We had a dream of creating something tangible in our own community — something that reflected our family’s traditions and created a place where people could gather and build memories.

In 2019, a group of family members came together and purchased a building in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood with a vision of creating an urban winery. What we thought might take a couple of years ultimately became a much longer journey. Between construction challenges, permitting, navigating the pandemic, and countless unexpected obstacles, we spent years renovating the space and bringing the vision to life.

Throughout that time, we continued learning the craft of winemaking, sourcing grapes from some of the country’s premier wine regions, and refining our approach to producing wines that are approachable, high quality, and meant to be enjoyed with family and friends.

In June 2026, after nearly six years of work, we officially opened the doors of Melted Wings Winery. Today, we’re proud to be a family-owned urban winery that blends Greek hospitality, traditional winemaking, and a deep commitment to our community. Looking back, the journey was far more challenging than we ever anticipated, but seeing guests fill the tasting room and create memories of their own has made every step worthwhile.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Like many small business owners, we underestimated how difficult and time-consuming the journey would be.

When we purchased the building in 2019, we had a vision and plenty of enthusiasm, but we quickly learned that opening a winery involves much more than making wine. We had to navigate building renovations, permits, zoning, licensing, inspections, contractor schedules, supply chain issues, and countless unexpected obstacles along the way.

The timing also presented challenges. Shortly after purchasing the property, the pandemic disrupted construction timelines, increased costs, and created uncertainty for many small businesses. What we originally thought might be a two- or three-year project stretched into nearly six years.

One of the biggest challenges was balancing the winery with our careers and family responsibilities. None of the owners started this as their full-time job. We spent evenings, weekends, and countless hours after work moving the project forward. There were certainly moments when progress felt slow and the finish line seemed far away.

At the same time, those challenges taught us patience and persistence. Every obstacle forced us to become better problem-solvers and more thoughtful business owners. Looking back, I think the difficulties made us appreciate the opening day even more. When we finally welcomed our first customers into the tasting room, it wasn’t just the opening of a business — it was the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief in a shared dream.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I serve as the Managing Director and Co-Founder of 10x, a federal innovation program within the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Since helping launch the program, I’ve worked with teams across government to identify big challenges, test new ideas, and invest in projects that improve how people interact with government services.

What I enjoy most about the work is helping turn ideas into reality. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to help build and scale programs, products, and teams that have served millions of people. Whether it’s launching a new digital service, growing a team, or helping an organization navigate uncertainty, I’ve always been drawn to the process of taking a vision and making it real.

That same entrepreneurial mindset is what ultimately led me to co-found Melted Wings Winery.

While the winery and my government work are very different on the surface, they share many of the same principles: start with a vision, listen to the people you’re serving, be willing to learn, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Both experiences have taught me that meaningful things rarely happen overnight. They require patience, persistence, and a willingness to adapt when challenges arise.

What I’m most proud of is helping build organizations and communities that bring people together. Through my work at 10x, I’ve had the opportunity to support teams tackling important public challenges. Through Melted Wings Winery, I’ve been able to create a place where family, friends, neighbors, and visitors can gather, connect, and create memories.

I think what sets me apart is that I’ve never been content simply maintaining the status quo. Whether in government or business, I’m energized by building something from the ground up. I enjoy bringing people together around a shared vision, solving complex problems, and creating opportunities that didn’t exist before. The winery is a reflection of that spirit — a blend of entrepreneurship, community, and a lifelong appreciation for the traditions that inspired it.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Cleveland is its people. This is a city filled with hardworking, resilient, and genuinely supportive individuals who take pride in their neighborhoods and rally behind local businesses. Since announcing Melted Wings Winery, we’ve been overwhelmed by the encouragement we’ve received from neighbors, community organizations, local leaders, and fellow small business owners. There’s a strong sense of community here that can be hard to find elsewhere.

I also love Cleveland’s entrepreneurial spirit. People here aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves, take risks, and build something meaningful. Whether it’s a family-owned restaurant, a neighborhood coffee shop, a startup, or a winery, there’s a growing culture of people investing in their communities and helping one another succeed.

If I had to choose something I’d like to see improve, it would be greater awareness of all the incredible things happening throughout the city’s neighborhoods. Cleveland has so many unique businesses, cultural destinations, and hidden gems, but many people don’t always venture beyond the areas they know best. As someone who has invested in Old Brooklyn, I’d love to see even more residents and visitors explore different neighborhoods and discover the amazing people and businesses that make Cleveland special.

At the end of the day, Cleveland is a city with tremendous character, history, and potential. We’re proud to be part of its story and excited to contribute to its continued growth.

Pricing:

• Bottles range from $20 – $30
• Glasses range from $6 – $10
• Greek meze plates range from $13 – $25
• Shirts are $25

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.meltedwingswinery.com
• Instagram: @meltedwingswinery
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/meltedwingswinery