Brad Pitt got an early present as a Los Angeles judge ruled in his favor in his ongoing battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over their French vineyard, Chateau Miraval.
The ruling, handed down just a day before Pitt turned 62, ordered Jolie to hand over a batch of emails and texts with her aides connected to the controversial sale of the estate.
The Miraval Dispute: Background
The former Hollywood power couple purchased Chateau Miraval together in 2008, tying the knot there in 2014.
Their relationship ended in 2016 after a 12-year romance and two-year marriage, but the legal battles over shared assets have continued relentlessly.
Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 after she sold her half of the vineyard to Yuri Shefler, owner of Stoli’s parent company, for $67 million — a move Pitt claims violated an agreement that neither would sell without the other’s consent.
Judge Orders Document Disclosure
Superior Court Judge Lia Martin has now sided with Pitt, ordering Jolie to produce 22 documents within 45 days.
The files include emails and texts with Jolie’s longtime business manager Terry Bird, aides Chloe Dalton and Lady Arminka Helic, and finance consultants Marjorie Brabet-Friel and James Friel.
Pitt’s team argues these communications could reveal that Jolie misrepresented her intentions regarding the sale.
Pitt’s Legal Team Accuses Jolie of Obstruction
Pitt’s lawyers contend Jolie is hiding non-legal advice under the guise of attorney privilege.
They describe the duo of Dalton and Helic as “image consultants” rather than bona fide legal advisers, and claim the redacted material likely includes instructions and discussions on how to handle the Miraval sale and respond to Stoli’s inquiries.
Jolie Counters With Privilege Claims
Jolie’s camp insists the documents are legally protected.
She maintains that the communications were necessary for her to obtain legal guidance and reflect attorney strategy.
Her team also accused Pitt of filing motions prematurely to draw public attention, warning that they may seek sanctions for what they describe as “frivolous” legal action.
The Emotional Backdrop
In court filings, Jolie outlined her sacrifices following the 2016 split, including leaving Pitt in full control of their family homes and Miraval without compensation, and ensuring proximity for their children.
The couple have six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox.
The kids have largely sided with Jolie, with many dropping the Pitt surname.
Past and Ongoing Legal Battles
This ruling adds to a string of wins for Pitt, including a key Luxembourg judgment granting him control of the vineyard pending further hearings.
Earlier this year, a court also required Jolie to produce all NDAs she signed from 2014 to 2022.
Pitt previously had a court dismissal in March that rejected claims his lawsuit was “frivolous, malicious, or part of a pattern.”
Trial and Mediation Dates Set
With the legal tug-of-war continuing, Judge Martin has set a trial date for February 1, 2027, with mediation scheduled for October 28, 2026.
Jolie faces potential damages claims if she does not reverse her sale to Shefler, keeping the high-profile dispute far from resolved.
What’s Next
As the courtroom drama unfolds, both sides continue to prepare for the long road ahead, with Pitt steadily gaining ground in the legal fight for control of one of the world’s most famous vineyards.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn