On any given day Chicago welcomes titans of industry, Hollywood screen stars and global political figures. The star power this week was courtesy of the premium wine business. Pure Wine Co., a major midwest distributor, assembled an all-star roster of winery owners, vintners and importers to present their current releases to Chicago-area sommeliers and retailers.

The setting was dramatic: Inside Jay Pritzker Pavilion, with the city’s Millennium Park and a gorgeous April day as the backdrop through a towering glass partition. In all, 13 importers and 50 U.S. wineries were represented (43 from California).

Much of what was poured Monday is destined for critical acclaim, collectors’ wine cellars and epic wine lists, if they are not there already. Among those with whom we conversed and sipped:

St. Helena, Calif.

Hinsdale Cellars’ insiders were on site for last Saturday’s 11th Annual Premiere Napa Valley barrel auction, which set another record by surpassing $2.6 million in bids in a single — albeit showery — afternoon.

Our delegation was comprised of: head trip organizer Troy Clements, president of Chicago-area Pure Wine Co., one of the midwest’s most important distributors; HinsdaleCellars.com co-founder Sean Chaudhry, proprietor of two highly regarded wine retail locations in the western suburbs of Chicago; and HinsdaleCellars.com Advisory Board member Bryan Freel, a collector and connoisseur. In addition to the auction, they attended a number of private events surrounding the 2007 Premiere Napa Valley gathering.