Brad Pitt secured a legal victory in his ongoing dispute over the ownership and sale of French winery Chateau Miraval, which he owns with his 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 lawyers claimed that investors associated with the company had first-hand knowledge of Jolie’s 2021 sale of her stake in Chateau Miraval to Tenute del Mondo.
The court sets a deposition date
New court documents filed in June say that the depositions of Oliynik, along with “the most qualified people” from Tenute del Mondo BV and Nouvel LLC – the Jolie company, which was sold to Tenute del Mondo – must take place in London on Sept.On June 24, the California Court of Appeal overturned an earlier decision regarding Yuri Shefler’s involvement in the Chateau Miraval transaction. Like the People, the court, in its decision, rejected Shefler’s assertion that he had a ‘minimal role’ in the sale. It says, “It defies belief that Shefler, a sophisticated businessman, would risk nearly USD 40 million in a transaction he had no knowledge of and had no involvement with.“A hearing on Pitt’s motion to compel the deposition of members of the Stoli group, including Alexey Oliynik, to testify about the sale, is scheduled for July 8.
Brad Pitt’s legal team to sell the winery
The Stoli Group is headed by Yuri Shefler, a Russian-born billionaire based in Switzerland. In 2023, Pitt sued Jolie, seeking damages for selling his interest in the winery to what his legal filing 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 allege that Jolie’s sale “puts at risk the reputation of the business that Pitt has carefully built.”Previously, Pitt 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 reacted to the court’s decision
A source close to Pitt told PEOPLE, “This win is another step toward transparency in what’s going on.” The source also claimed that Shefler was “an associate [Jolie] chosen knowing that this was a partner that Brad did not want to be in business with.”Another source close to Pitt said Jolie agreed that Pitt had “first right of refusal” before any sale but later sold his stake to Shefler.
Angelina Jolie’s Lawyer responded:
In response to the recent court rulings, a lawyer for Jolie told PEOPLE that the rulings “have no effect on the merits of the case, and certainly no effect on Ms. Jolie’s case. At this point, Ms. Jolie is just looking forward to losing the case at trial next year so that their family can finally focus their energy on healing and moving forward.”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 refuses to work with Stoli simply because Angie chose them, not him.
About the fight between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at Chateau Miraval
Pitt and Jolie’s legal battle over Chateau Miraval began in February 2022 after Pitt accused Jolie of selling his share of the winery without permission, despite an agreement not to sell without the other’s permission. Jolie later filed a countersuit, accusing Pitt of waging a “vindictive war” against her after she filed for divorce in 2016. The couple finalized their divorce settlement in December 2024.