Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s legal feud over Château Miraval, their celebrated French winery, has escalated into a high-stakes courtroom drama. Newly released court documents reveal Pitt is suing Jolie for $35 million in damages, marking a pivotal moment in a dispute that has simmered for more than three years.
Private Negotiations Become Public
The conflict burst into public view when Pitt’s legal team submitted a 286-page filing to Los Angeles Superior Court on October 29, 2025. Among the evidence were previously confidential email exchanges between the actors’ attorneys, including a November 2023 message from Jolie’s lawyers: “The burdensome nature of any production is a matter of Mr. Pitt’s own creation—he is suing Ms. Jolie for $35 million in damages.” These emails chronicle years of tense negotiations, with both sides seeking to keep details out of the spotlight.
Pitt’s lawsuit centers on the claim that Jolie’s sale of her Miraval stake—without his consent—inflicted significant financial harm on the business. He asserts that his investment of time, money, and effort transformed Miraval into a luxury rosé brand now valued at $164 million.
A Vineyard’s Journey: Partnership to Lawsuit
Château Miraval’s story began in 2008, when Pitt and Jolie leased the 1,200-acre estate in Correns, France. The property, with its manor house, recording studio (which has hosted Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and other legendary artists), chapel, olive groves, and approximately 100 acres of vineyards, became their family retreat. They purchased controlling interest in 2012 and married there in 2014.
In 2013, the couple launched Miraval Wines with the Perrin family, producing an organic rosé that sold out its first 6,000-bottle vintage in five hours. By 2020, Miraval was selling nearly 150,000 cases annually in the U.S. and had expanded into Champagne with Pierre Péters.
The partnership fractured in October 2021, when Jolie sold her 50% stake to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, controlled by Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler. Pitt claims he offered $55 million for Jolie’s share, but she withdrew and sold to Stoli instead.
Legal and Personal Allegations Collide
Pitt’s February 2022 lawsuit alleges Jolie violated an agreement not to sell without mutual approval, accusing her of enabling a hostile takeover. Jolie denies such an agreement existed and countersued, claiming Pitt refused to buy her stake unless she signed a sweeping non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that would “force her silence about his abuse and cover-up.” Her lawyers argue the NDA’s $8.5 million holdback provision was designed to control her.
Central to the dispute is a September 2016 incident aboard a private jet, where Jolie alleges Pitt was physically and verbally abusive toward her and their children. An FBI report details claims that Pitt grabbed Jolie, shook her, and assaulted two of their children. Pitt’s team proposed a four-year NDA covering “personal misconduct,” which Jolie’s attorneys say is crucial evidence.
The legal battle has exposed personal financial strains as well. Court filings reference emotional communications from Jolie about ongoing stress related to the case.
Battle Over Privileged Communications
A major point of contention is Jolie’s refusal to release certain communications, citing attorney-client privilege. Her team argues that emails with her business manager, publicists, and financial advisors were made in consultation with lawyers and are protected. Pitt’s attorneys counter that these “non-attorney” communications about legal strategy should be disclosed.
Jolie’s lawyer Paul Murphy stated, “Mr. Pitt’s reply brief does not address our arguments and continues to rely on conjecture and speculation—all for the purpose of invading her privileged communications with her lawyers. This lawsuit is the manifestation of Mr. Pitt’s years-long effort to harass and control Angelina.”
Family and Global Implications
The Pitt-Jolie divorce was finalized in December 2024, but the Miraval lawsuit remains separate. The couple shares six children, several of whom have reportedly distanced themselves from Pitt since the 2016 incident. Jolie’s lawyer noted, “She doesn’t speak ill of [Pitt] publicly or privately and has been trying hard to be light after a dark time.”
Globally, the Miraval dispute echoes other celebrity asset battles, such as the drawn-out divorce of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, whose art and property holdings became legal flashpoints. High-profile divorces increasingly hinge on business assets and NDAs, with courts balancing privacy against transparency.
Looking Ahead: Stakes and Implications
The next hearing is set for December 17, 2025, with Judge Lia Martin presiding. The trial itself is scheduled for February 2027, reflecting the case’s complexity across multiple jurisdictions and involving business valuations, abuse allegations, and privileged communications.
Beyond the $35 million claim, the outcome could reshape how celebrity divorces handle joint business ventures and NDAs. For Pitt, Miraval represents a passion project and a fight to protect his legacy. For Jolie, the case is about autonomy and resisting what her lawyers call ongoing control. As the legal saga unfolds, its impact may reach far beyond the vineyard’s gates, influencing future battles over privacy, business, and family in the public eye.