The prolonged legal dispute between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie over their shared French vineyard, Chateau Miraval, is set for a courtroom battle in 2025.
The ex-couple’s ongoing fight over the estate, which they purchased together during their relationship, intensified as a judge recently denied Jolie’s motion to dismiss Pitt’s lawsuit, according to DailyMail.com.
An insider close to the case hinted that tensions between the two have continued to escalate, saying, “It’s already been ugly, but it’s going to get even uglier as Angie is bent on retaliating against Brad and will continue to settle more old personal scores.” This legal showdown follows a series of contentious exchanges over ownership and control of the vineyard, which has grown into a successful winery, renowned for its award-winning rosé.
The conflict took a dramatic turn in 2022 when Pitt filed a $67 million lawsuit after Jolie sold her 50% share of Miraval to Russian businessman Yuri Shefler and his Stoli Group. Pitt contends that he and Jolie had a verbal agreement granting him the first option to buy her share if she ever decided to sell. Jolie, however, argues she acted within her legal rights to sell her stake independently, without consulting Pitt.
The judge’s recent ruling acknowledged Pitt’s claims regarding the alleged verbal agreement, allowing his lawsuit to proceed to trial. This means that both sides will present their case in court, where the legitimacy of the verbal agreement and the terms of the sale will be examined.
Chateau Miraval holds deep sentimental value for both Pitt and Jolie. Purchased as a symbol of their shared life and legacy, it was also the site of their wedding in 2014. However, since their 2016 separation, the vineyard has become a focal point of their bitter post-divorce proceedings.
While Pitt has expressed his desire to keep Miraval under his control, he claims Jolie’s sale to Shefler undermined their shared vision for the vineyard. The decision to sell her half to Stoli Group brought in a new player with a vested interest in the estate, intensifying the struggle between the former couple over control and future direction.
As this high-profile legal battle heads to trial, it remains to be seen how the court will interpret their past agreements and the vineyard’s rightful ownership. The outcome could not only impact the future of Chateau Miraval but also further define the limits of business arrangements made within a marriage and subsequent divorce.
