Angelina Jolie has won a legal battle against her ex-husband Brad Pitt in the war over the Chateau Miraval winery, where they married in 2014.
The couple acquired the renowned rosé wine company in 2008, when they moved into the chateau that sits on their Provençal vineyard. Since then, the actor has been working on the impressive buildings and grounds that make it up. However, the protagonist of ‘Maleficent’ sold her stake to the liquor company Stoli, launching a network of lawsuits in the United States, France and Luxembourg between her and her ex, their respective companies and various business partners.
Jolie’s team recently requested documents from Pitt, his manager and his company, Mondo Bongo. For her part, the actor’s team has been fighting for a court to deny the actress’ request for documents and correspondence from the property. But on Friday, a Los Angeles judge said the “Fight Club” star and his associates will have to turn over the documents to opposing attorneys.
Sources close to Jolie’s business operation told Page Six that Pitt has been driven by the grudge and anger he has harbored since their split and has allowed this to get in the way of his business dealings.
“Any rational human being would be happy to have Stoli as a partner in their business. They have top-notch marketing and distribution,” the insiders said, explaining that the firm offers tremendous opportunities to grow the business. “He just can’t see past his hatred of Jolie.”
But a source close to Pitt revealed to Page Six that not only is the Stoli deal not a no-brainer, as Pitt had also turned down a sale offer to the same company when he and Jolie were still married. According to informants, the idea of selling part of the business to improve distribution runs counter to his long-standing plan for the project, which consists of reinvesting profits in the company. Furthermore, they say that “the best way to preserve value for [their children] is for parents to maintain full ownership of this increasingly valuable and expanding asset.” The couple, who have six children, separated in 2016 after nine years together since they met on the set of the film ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’.