Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s epic legal battle over their French winery, Château Miraval, is about to go to trial after Pitt prevailed in the most recent round. Sources expect the stars to depose in the case, potentially revealing more juicy details about the former Hollywood power couple, but the trial date may not be until 2026.
This month, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge shot down Jolie’s attempts to have the case tossed, paving the way for it to go ahead, according to court documents seen by sources. “Eventually Angie and Brad will have to sit with depositions; there’s now no way out as they move towards trial,” said an insider.
Insiders also said that settling seems like a remote possibility, as the Hollywood exes have been fighting over the vineyard they purchased in 2008 ever since Jolie filed for divorce in 2016.
The dispute over the $500 million property kicked off when Jolie sold off her shares for half the vineyard to the wine division of Stoli. Pitt then filed a lawsuit, claiming that Jolie’s sale violated an agreement they had in place, which granted him the right of first refusal to purchase her shares.
He’s looking to undo the Jolie-Stoli deal in court. When Jolie fought back in the case, she alleged a number of personal behind-the-scenes details about the couple that came to light in legal documents.
She claimed that she did not sell to Pitt because he wanted her to sign an onerous non-disclosure agreement that would cover up alleged past bad behavior, and he moved to make her turn over all her past NDAs.
Pitt’s lawyers have previously contended the case is a “straightforward business dispute,” and “the other side has consistently introduced personal elements that have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings.”
Either way, the case is now finally moving towards a courtroom, though the Stoli group that bought the shares is also trying to toss a case and has a hearing in March. After that, a trial date in the Pitt-Jolie dispute could potentially be set in April, but the case that’s more complex than a 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (which has sold at auction for $558,000) could be heard in 2026.
When the two stars bought the vineyard in happier times—while Jolie was pregnant with twins, two of the six kids they raised together—Pitt, 60, wound up with 60%, and Jolie had 40% of the property. However, shortly before their 2014 wedding at the estate, Pitt gifted Jolie, 49, an additional 10% of the property as a token of their mutual affection. The shares passed from Pitt to his then-bride-to-be for 1 measly euro.
This bitter winery war is the latest chapter in the tumultuous saga of Brangelina’s split. Ugly allegations and protracted legal battles over the division of their assets and child custody have plagued the Hollywood power couple’s divorce.
It’s unclear who will win this high-stakes battle over their once-shared French winery as the case moves to trial. However, we know the drama will continue, and we may not finish until 2026 or later.
Jolie’s company, Nouvel, has accused Pitt of “hijacking” Château Miraval and “wasting” the company’s assets on unnecessary renovation projects, including spending $1 million on swimming pool renovations. According to a source close to Jolie, Pitt had the opportunity to purchase her stake in Miraval, but he “refused” to finalize the sale unless the actress agreed to remain silent about alleged domestic abuse.
However, a source previously said that the winery battle is a “straightforward business dispute.” “This is a straightforward business dispute, but, unfortunately, the other side has consistently introduced personal elements that have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings,” the source said.
As the Brangelina saga continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the drama surrounding Château Miraval is far from over. With depositions looming and a potential trial date as far out as 2026, this bitter winery war could rage on for years to come.