Brad Pitt has won a key legal victory in his ongoing dispute with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over their French winery, Château Miraval, with a judge ordering Jolie to disclose private emails and text messages concerning the sale of her stake. This ruling, issued in recent days, mandates that Jolie produce communications she had previously withheld, potentially shedding light on the intentions behind her 2021 sale to the Stoli Group.
The decision came from a Los Angeles Superior Court judge who granted Pitt’s motion to compel discovery, specifically targeting 22 documents that Jolie had redacted or withheld under claims of privilege. According to court filings obtained by media outlets, the judge found that these communications, involving non-attorneys such as Jolie’s business manager and publicists, are not protected and must be fully revealed. Jolie now has 45 days to comply with the order, turning over unredacted versions of the emails and texts.
This legal maneuver is part of a broader lawsuit Pitt filed in 2022, alleging that Jolie violated an agreement they made when they purchased Château Miraval together in 2008. The actor claims that both parties agreed not to sell their shares without mutual consent, a pact Jolie denies. In 2021, Jolie sold her 50% interest in the winery to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli Group, for an undisclosed sum, which Pitt contends was done without his approval and has harmed the business’s value and operations.
Pitt’s legal team argues that the private communications will prove Jolie has been “disingenuous since the start” about her intentions to sell, suggesting she may have planned the sale contrary to their alleged agreement. In court documents, Pitt emphasized that only one internal email mentioning the sale terms has been produced so far, and he believes the withheld messages are crucial to understanding the transaction at the heart of the litigation. The actor has sued Jolie for $35 million in damages, citing the alleged harm to Miraval’s ongoing business.
Jolie’s side has strongly opposed the disclosure, with her attorney, Paul Murphy, stating that they are “disappointed by the court’s interpretation of California’s privilege law.” Murphy argued that the ruling violates legal protections, undermines Jolie’s right to a fair trial, and represents another effort by Pitt to harass and control her. They have announced plans to appeal the decision, framing it as part of a “years-long” campaign by Pitt following their contentious divorce.
The backdrop of this dispute includes serious personal allegations. Jolie has referenced a 2016 incident on a private jet where Pitt was allegedly abusive toward her and their children, though no charges were filed. Her legal team has suggested that Pitt’s refusal to buy her out was tied to a non-disclosure agreement she declined to sign, which she claims was designed to silence her about the abuse. Pitt has denied these allegations, and the legal focus has remained on the business aspects of their split.
The winery battle has dragged on since the couple’s separation in 2016 and divorce finalization in December 2024, involving multiple court filings and countersuits. Château Miraval, located in the south of France, was once a symbol of their partnership, where they planned to raise their six children and build a family legacy. Now, it stands at the center of a bitter feud that has spilled into public view through legal documents and media reports.
Looking ahead, Jolie’s appeal could delay the disclosure process, but if upheld, the ordered communications may provide key evidence in Pitt’s lawsuit. The outcome could influence not only the financial stakes but also the ongoing narrative of their post-divorce relationship. As both parties prepare for further legal steps, this ruling marks a pivotal moment in a saga that continues to captivate public attention, highlighting the complexities of high-profile divorces and asset disputes.
