Brad Pitt scored a legal victory in his ongoing dispute over the ownership and sale of French winery Chateau Miraval, which he co-owned with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie.According to a June 17 court filing obtained by PEOPLE, the California Superior Court granted a motion filed by Pitt’s legal team to compel depositions from members of the Stolley Group. Pitt’s attorneys claimed Jolie had direct knowledge of the 2021 sale of her stake in Chateau Miraval to Tenuet del Mondo by investors associated with the company.
The court sets a date for the deposition
New court documents filed in June said Olinique’s deposition must be in London by Sept. 30, along with “the most qualified persons” sold to Tenute del Mondo BV and Nouvelle LLC – the company Jolly, Tenute del Mondo.On June 24, a California appeals court overturned an earlier decision regarding Yuri Scheffler’s involvement in the Chateau Miraval transaction. According to People, the court, in its ruling, rejected Scheffler’s claim that he had a ‘minimal role’ in the sale. It said, “It defies credibility that Scheffler, a sophisticated businessman, would risk nearly $40 million on a transaction he knew nothing about and had no involvement with.“A hearing is scheduled for July 8 on Pitt’s motion to compel depositions of members of the Stoli Group, including Alexei Olynyk, to testify about the sale.
Brad Pitt’s legal team on winery sale
The Stoli Group is headed by Russian-born billionaire Yuri Scheffler, based in Switzerland. In 2023, Pitt sued Jolie, seeking compensation for the sale of his interest in what Scheffler described in his legal filing as a “Russia-affiliated spirits conglomerate.”Pitt’s legal team also argued that the Stoli group “has been the subject of repeated boycotts related to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and homophobic legal agenda.” The filing also alleges that Jolie’s sale “jeopardizes the reputation of the business that Pitt has so carefully built.”Previously, Pete Stoli tried to depose group executive Alexei Olynyk, who refused to provide documents or appear for questioning, saying he could not be forced to do so because he lived in Switzerland.
Brad Pitt’s team responded to the court ruling
“This win is another step toward transparency about what happened,” a source close to Pitt told People. The source also claimed that Scheffler “was a partner [Jolie] Brad chose this as a partner knowing he didn’t want to be involved in the business.”Another source close to Pitt claimed Jolie agreed Pitt would have “first right of refusal” before any sale but later sold her shares to Scheffler.
Angelina Jolie’s lawyer responded
In response to the recent court ruling, a lawyer for Jolie told PEOPLE that the decisions “have no bearing on the merits of the case and certainly have no bearing on Ms. Jolie’s case. At this point, Ms. Jolie looks forward to defeating the case at trial next year so that her family can finally focus their energies on healing and moving forward.”A source close to Jolie also said she sold her stake 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 Pete’s arrogance and obsession for control got in the way. Brad refused to work with Stoli because Angie chose them, not him.”
About Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Battle of Chateau Miraval
Pitt and Jolie’s legal battle over Chateau Miraval began in February 2022 when Pitt alleged that Jolie had sold his 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 finalized their divorce settlement in December 2024.
