When did Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie purchase Château Miraval? Former couple set for 2-week court trial over winery ownership

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are set to engage in two-week court trial over ownership for the Château Miraval, a French chateau and vineyard they previously shared. What started out as a romantic joint venture in 2008 has turned into a complex court battle involving disputed corporate transactions, accusations of betrayal and emotional manipulation.

The former Hollywood power couple is once again the center of attention as the deposition and a two-week trial approach.

Brad Pitt and Jolie leased the 1,200-acre Château Miraval estate in Correns, France, in 2008 and bought it in 2011 amid the pinnacle of their love. While Jolie initially owned 40% ownership, Pitt handed her an additional 10% right before their wedding in 2014 – a symbolic gesture of equality and love. They raised their six children and even got married on the estate, which turned into their haven.

But once Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, things took a turn for the worst. The once beautiful property is now at the heart of a contentious dispute involving multinational corporations, abuse accusations, and betrayal charges.

According to US Weekly, a source revealed that:

“Brad is willing to drag out the lawsuit over Chateau Miraval and Angie as long as possible if needed. He is not giving up and will do it to spite Angie […]"

Without Brad Pitt's approval, Jolie sold Tenute del Mondo, the Stoli Group's wine subsidiary, her 50% share in Château Miraval in 2021. In 2022, Pitt filed a lawsuit against Jolie, alleging that the two had a "mutual understanding" not to sell their interests without the other's consent, which Jolie allegedly broke.

Pitt's legal team claims that when he suggested a non-disparagement clause, Jolie withdrew from a $55.4 million buyout contract. In response, Jolie said the NDA was an effort to keep her quiet about Pitt's alleged mistreatment and wrongdoing. The discussions broke down because she refused to sign.

According to People, Paul Murphy, Angelina Jolie's lawyer, said that Brad Pitt:

"Tried to punish and control Angelina by demanding a newly expanded NDA to cover his personal misconduct and abuse."

He continued:

"Those actions are central to these proceedings. We are not at all surprised Mr. Pitt is afraid to turn over the documents demonstrating these facts."

According to Pitt's source, as reported by People, said:

“Instead of completing negotiations for him to buy her out and keeping Miraval fully in the family and ending the battles. She instead chose to sell to a total stranger not aligned with the company’s vision so she could take the money for herself and punish him.”

Brad Pitt's lawyer revealed:

“This was the pretext. In reality. [Jolie] and Nouvel had covertly lined up and tentatively struck a deal with a third party: the Stoli Group, owned and controlled by Russian billionaire, Yuri Shefler, and its subsidiary Tenute del Mondo.”

Jolie's side: A countersuit and abuse allegations

In response, Jolie filed a $250 million countersuit through her old business, Nouvel, alleging Brad Pitt attempted to take over Miraval and embezzle the winery's assets for personal interests. She insisted that she made every attempt to sell Pitt the shares back, but only withdrew after being asked to sign an NDA that she felt was too restrictive, and that there was no legally enforceable arrangement requiring her to obtain his approval before selling.

Jolie recently won a case in which the judge ordered Pitt to provide eight years' worth of non-disclosure agreements he had signed with other parties. Paul Murphy, Jolie's lawyer, highlighted the documents as "crucial evidence" of Pitt's purported habit of coercion and that Brad Pitt has "fought for years to hide," saying:

"His actions harmed Angelina and their children and are central to this case."

He continued:

"To this day, Mr. Pitt has never been held accountable for his actions and has at all times controlled Miraval and the winery, yet he still demands more. She wants this to end, the children want this to end, and Mr. Pitt should focus on healing their family, not pursuing lawsuits."

Brad Pitt's position: A complex business dispute

Brad Pitt has insisted that the case is just about business, notwithstanding Jolie's accusations. According to a person close to the star, People reported:

“Brad built an extraordinary, increasingly valuable business and she chose to deliberately disregard their agreement... She chose to sell to a total stranger not aligned with the company’s vision so she could take the money for herself and punish him.”

Pitt asserted that a hostile takeover effort was made by the Stoli Group, which currently owns Jolie's previous shares.

His legal team is still promoting the idea that the NDA request was a routine business procedure rather than an effort to bury abuse claims. They contend that in what ought to have been a simple ownership issue, Jolie's side has "consistently introduced personal elements."

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Brad Pitt anticipates the forthcoming jury trial to run around 15 days, per court documents that Us Weekly was able to get. The lawsuit may take more than two weeks, according to Jolie's legal team. Sources informed Page Six that although no trial date has been formally announced, the proceedings may start as early as April 2026.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.

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