Brad Pitt has secured a legal victory in his ongoing dispute over the ownership and sale of the French winery Chateau Miraval, which he co-owned with ex-wife Angelina Jolie.According to a June 17 court filing obtained by PEOPLE, the Superior Court of California granted a motion filed by Pitt’s legal team seeking to compel depositions from members of the Stoli Group. Pitt’s attorneys claimed that the investors associated with the company, had firsthand knowledge of Jolie’s 2021 sale of her stake in Chateau Miraval to Tenute del Mondo.
Court sets date for deposition
New court documents filed in June state that depositions of Oliynik, along with the “persons most qualified” from Tenute del Mondo B.V. and Nouvel LLC – the company Jolie, sold to Tenute del Mondo – must take place in London by Sept. 30.On June 24, California’s Court of Appeal reversed an earlier decision concerning Yuri Shefler’s involvement in the Chateau Miraval transaction. As per People, the court, in its ruling, rejected Shefler’s assertion that he had only a ‘minimal role’ in the sale. It stated, “It defies credulity that Shefler, a sophisticated businessman, would risk almost USD 40 million on a transaction about which he knew nothing and with which he had no involvement.“A hearing on Pitt’s motion to compel depositions of members of the Stoli group including Alexey Oliynik, to testify about the sale, is scheduled for July 8.
Brad Pitt’s legal team on sale of winery
The Stoli Group is led by Yuri Shefler, a Russian-born billionaire based in Switzerland. In 2023, Pitt sued Jolie, seeking damages over the sale of her interest in the winery to what his legal filings described as Shefler’s “Russia-affiliated spirits conglomerate.”Pitt’s legal team also argued that the Stoli Group “has been the subject of repeated boycotts in connection with Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and homophobic legislative Agenda.” The filings further alleged that Jolie’s sale “jeopardises the reputation of the business that Pitt so carefully built.”Previously, Pitt had tried to depose Stoli Group executive Alexey Oliynik, who reportedly refused to provide documents or appear for questioning, saying he could not be forced to do so because he lives in Switzerland.
Brad Pitt’s team reacts to court ruling
A source close to Pitt told PEOPLE, “This win is another step towards transparency over what took place.” The source also claimed that Shefler “was a partner [Jolie] chose knowing it was a partner Brad did not want involved in the business.”Another source close to Pitt claimed that Jolie had agreed Pitt would have the “first right of refusal” before any sale but later sold her stake to Shefler.
Angelina Jolie’s Lawyer reacts
Responding to the recent court rulings, a lawyer for Jolie told PEOPLE that the decisions “have no impact on the merits of the case, and certainly has no impact on Ms. Jolie’s case. At this point, Ms. Jolie is just looking forward to defeating the case at trial next year so that their family can finally focus their energies on healing and moving on.”A source close to Jolie also said she sold her share to Stoli because she believed the company would help grow the business for the benefit of their children, who are expected to inherit Pitt’s share in the future. The source added, “The truth is that Pitt’s ego and obsession for control got in the way. Brad refused to work with Stoli simply because Angie chose them, not him.”
About Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s battle over Chateau Miraval
Pitt and Jolie’s legal fight over Chateau Miraval began in February 2022 after Pitt alleged that Jolie sold her share of the winery without his approval, despite an agreement that neither would sell without the other’s consent. Jolie later filed a countersuit, accusing Pitt of waging a “vindictive war” against her after she filed for divorce in 2016. The couple finalised their divorce settlement in December 2024.
