The story of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has fascinated the world for years, from their whirlwind romance and glamorous Hollywood marriage to their bitter divorce. But beyond the headlines about custody and personal disputes lies another tangled conflict: the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie winery legal battle. This high-profile fight centers on Château Miraval, the French winery where the couple once built dreams together but now serves as a symbol of their fractured relationship.
This article explores the background of the winery, the root of the conflict, the lawsuits and countersuits, and what might come next in this years-long legal drama.
The Beginnings of Château Miraval
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were not just Hollywood’s golden couple—they were also ambitious entrepreneurs. In 2008, they leased Château Miraval, a sprawling estate in Provence, France, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Three years later, in 2011, they purchased the estate for about $60 million through their respective companies.
Initially, Pitt held 60% of the shares while Jolie had 40%. Later, in 2013, Pitt transferred 10% of his shares to Jolie, making them equal 50/50 partners in the property. The couple not only lived there but also launched a rosé wine label under the Miraval name. The rosé quickly became popular worldwide, praised by critics and embraced by wine enthusiasts.
The estate wasn’t just a business venture—it was also personal. In 2014, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie married at Miraval, making it both a symbol of their love and a joint family investment.
Trouble After Divorce
The turning point came in 2016 when Jolie filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” By 2019, they were legally declared single, but issues around custody, finances, and shared assets dragged on.
Among the thorniest issues was Château Miraval. Since the estate was co-owned, decisions regarding its future required mutual consent. This stipulation later became the heart of the legal battle.
Jolie’s Sale of Her Stake
In October 2021, Angelina Jolie sold her 50% stake in Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group owned by Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler. Jolie argued that she wanted financial independence from her ex-husband and no longer wanted to be tied to him through business.
Brad Pitt, however, saw things differently. He claimed that they had agreed not to sell their shares without the other’s consent. Pitt also alleged that Jolie intentionally sold her stake to harm him, knowing that Stoli was an “adversarial” company whose involvement could complicate Miraval’s operations.
Pitt’s Lawsuit Against Jolie
In February 2022, Pitt filed a lawsuit accusing Jolie of breaching their agreement. His legal team claimed that she deprived him of the right of first refusal and knowingly undermined the winery’s success.
Pitt emphasized that he had invested significantly in the business, transforming Miraval into a multimillion-dollar brand. He argued that Jolie contributed little to the winery’s growth yet sought to profit by selling to an outsider.
The lawsuit sought damages and asked the court to void Jolie’s sale of her shares to Stoli.
Jolie’s Countersuit
In September 2022, Jolie filed a countersuit. She accused Pitt of attempting to freeze her out of the business and punish her for leaving him. Her legal team claimed Pitt demanded that she sign an NDA that would silence her from speaking about alleged abuse—particularly related to the infamous 2016 private jet incident involving Pitt, Jolie, and their children.
Jolie’s countersuit painted Pitt as controlling, alleging that he had mismanaged the business and was trying to maintain dominance through legal maneuvers.
Courtroom Escalations
Since then, the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie winery legal battle has escalated into a labyrinth of filings, counter-filings, and discovery requests:
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NDAs under scrutiny: A judge ordered Jolie to provide details of other nondisclosure agreements she had signed, as Pitt’s team argued this was relevant to her claims.
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Stoli’s role: Pitt’s lawyers pursued communications with executives from Stoli Group, claiming they held critical information about Jolie’s motivations.
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Motion to dismiss denied: Jolie sought to dismiss Pitt’s lawsuit, but the judge allowed the case to proceed.
Both sides have accused each other of waging a “war of attrition” to exhaust resources and maintain control of the estate.
Why Château Miraval Matters So Much
To outsiders, the dispute might seem like a battle of pride. But Château Miraval is far more than a property. The winery is one of the most successful celebrity-backed wine brands in the world, generating millions annually. Its rosé is stocked in high-end restaurants and retail stores across Europe, the U.S., and Asia.
For Pitt, Miraval represents years of personal investment and creative vision. He has spoken about his passion for architecture, wine, and design—all of which he poured into the estate. For Jolie, however, Miraval has become a painful reminder of a failed marriage, and she argues she has every right to sell her share as she sees fit.
Public Perception and Media Coverage
The legal battle has become a media spectacle. Some outlets frame Pitt as trying to protect his investment and creative work, while others view Jolie’s sale as an act of empowerment to free herself financially.
Supporters of Pitt argue that Jolie broke a mutual agreement and acted vindictively. Supporters of Jolie counter that Pitt used the winery to maintain control over her life post-divorce.
Where Things Stand Now
As of 2025, the case is still ongoing. A trial is expected, and it could stretch into 2026 due to the complexity of international business law and the involvement of foreign companies like Stoli. Both Pitt and Jolie are expected to give depositions.
What’s clear is that the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie winery legal battle is about more than wine. It encapsulates the bitterness of their divorce, the difficulty of untangling shared assets, and the personal grievances that continue to haunt them years later.
Conclusion
The Miraval case remains one of Hollywood’s most high-profile legal disputes, blending love, business, betrayal, and pride into a drama fit for the big screen. For Pitt, it is about preserving a passion project. For Jolie, it is about autonomy and breaking free from ties to her former spouse.
No matter how the case ends, the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie winery legal battle has revealed the messy intersection of personal relationships and shared business empires. And like much of their story, the world will be watching closely until the final verdict.
In the end, this legal saga reflects not just the clash of two Hollywood icons but also the universal struggle of how love, money, and legacy can collide.
This article is brought to you by The Globe Gist, where we break down the stories behind the headlines with clarity and depth.
FAQs About Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Winery Legal Battle
1. What is the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie winery legal battle about?
The legal dispute centers on Château Miraval, a French winery the couple co-owned. After their divorce, Angelina Jolie sold her 50% stake to the Stoli Group without Brad Pitt’s approval, which he claims violated their prior agreement.
2. Why did Angelina Jolie sell her stake in Château Miraval?
Jolie said she no longer wanted to be tied to Brad Pitt through business. She sold her shares in 2021 to achieve financial independence and move on from the relationship.
3. Why is Brad Pitt suing Angelina Jolie?
Pitt argues that Jolie breached a mutual agreement by selling her shares without offering him the right of first refusal. He also claims her sale to Stoli harmed the winery’s reputation and business.
4. What is Angelina Jolie’s countersuit against Brad Pitt?
Jolie countersued, alleging Pitt tried to control her by forcing her to sign a restrictive NDA before allowing her to sell. She also claimed he mismanaged the winery and attempted to freeze her out of decisions.
5. Is Château Miraval still operating despite the legal battle?
Yes. Despite the ongoing lawsuits, Château Miraval continues to produce and sell wine, particularly its popular Miraval rosé, which remains a global success.
6. When will the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie winery legal battle end?
The case is still ongoing as of 2025. Legal experts predict it could stretch into 2026 due to the complex business, international ownership issues, and court delays.
7. Why is Château Miraval so important in this case?
Château Miraval isn’t just a property—it’s one of the most successful celebrity wine brands in the world, worth millions. For Pitt, it represents a passion project and investment, while for Jolie, it became a burden tied to their past.
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