Brad Pitt Scores Legal Win in Chateau Miraval Winery Dispute with Angelina Jolie

Legal Developments in the Chateau Miraval Case

Brad Pitt has secured a notable legal victory in his ongoing battle concerning the ownership and sale of Chateau Miraval, a winery he co-owned with his former spouse, Angelina Jolie. A court document dated June 17 disclosed that the Superior Court of California approved a motion from Pitt's legal representatives to mandate depositions from members of the Stoli Group, a firm associated with the investors involved in Jolie's 2021 sale of her stake in the winery to Tenute del Mondo.

Recent court filings reveal that depositions of significant figures, including Alexey Oliynik from the Stoli Group and representatives from Tenute del Mondo B.V. and Nouvel LLC—Jolie's previous company—are scheduled to take place in London by September 30. This follows a ruling from California's Court of Appeal on June 24, which overturned an earlier decision regarding Yuri Shefler's involvement in the Chateau Miraval deal. The court dismissed Shefler's assertion of minimal participation, stating it was unlikely for a businessman of his stature to risk nearly USD 40 million without being aware of the transaction.

A hearing to address Pitt's motion to compel depositions from Stoli Group members, including Oliynik, is slated for July 8. Pitt's legal team has expressed concerns regarding the ramifications of Jolie's sale to what they label as Shefler's "Russia-affiliated spirits conglomerate." They contend that the Stoli Group has faced boycotts due to its ties to Vladimir Putin's regime, and that Jolie's actions could tarnish the reputation of the winery that Pitt has worked hard to establish.

In light of the court's recent rulings, a source close to Pitt conveyed optimism, stating that this victory represents progress toward transparency regarding the sale's circumstances. The source also highlighted that Jolie had previously agreed that Pitt would have the "first right of refusal" before any sale, implying that her decision to sell to Shefler was made without his consent.

Jolie's legal counsel responded to the court's decisions, asserting that they do not impact the merits of her case and that she remains focused on countering Pitt's claims in the forthcoming trial. A source close to Jolie emphasized her belief that selling her share to Stoli would ultimately benefit their children, who are anticipated to inherit Pitt's stake in the winery. The ongoing legal dispute between Pitt and Jolie over Chateau Miraval commenced in February 2022, following allegations that Jolie sold her share without Pitt's approval, despite an existing agreement mandating mutual consent for such transactions.