Brad Pitt has achieved a significant legal victory in his ongoing dispute with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over the French winery Chateau Miraval. The Superior Court of California on June 17 granted a motion compelling depositions from key members of the Stoli Group, the wine division that purchased Jolie's stake in 2021 without Pitt's consent.
Court Ruling and Depositions Ordered
The court order requires depositions from "persons most qualified" from Tenute del Mondo B.V. and Nouvel LLC, including Alexey Oliynik, by September 30. This follows Pitt's legal team's argument that investors from the Stoli Group had firsthand knowledge of the 2021 sale. The dispute began in 2022 when Pitt sued Jolie, alleging the sale violated a mutual agreement that neither party could sell their stake without the other's approval.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Pitt's lawyers successfully argued that depositions were necessary to uncover the details of the transaction. The Stoli Group is run by Yuri Shefler, a Russian expatriate billionaire residing in Switzerland.
Appeals Court Reversal
On June 24, California's Court of Appeals reversed its earlier decision regarding Shefler's involvement in the sale. The court stated, "It defies credulity that Shefler, a sophisticated businessman, would risk almost $40 million on a transaction about which he knew nothing and with which he had no involvement." This reversal came after Shefler claimed he had a "minimal role" in the sale. A hearing on a motion to compel Shefler's deposition is scheduled for July 8.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle over Chateau Miraval has been ongoing since 2021 when Jolie sold her share to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli Group, without Pitt's consent. Pitt alleged that the sale damaged the business's reputation by associating it with a "Russia-affiliated spirits conglomerate," particularly given Stoli's connections to Vladimir Putin's regime and homophobic legislation. Jolie's legal team countered, calling Pitt's accusations a "xenophobic, untrue smear campaign."
In June 2025, Pitt filed court documents attempting to depose Oliynik, who allegedly refused to turn over documents or appear for a deposition, citing his residence in Switzerland. The new court order overcomes that objection.
Reactions from Both Sides
A source close to Pitt told PEOPLE, "This win is another step towards transparency over what took place," adding that Shefler "was a partner (Jolie) chose knowing it was a partner Brad did not want involved in the business." The insider noted that the rulings mean the Stoli Group "will have to explain exactly how the deal was orchestrated."
However, a lawyer for Jolie downplayed the significance, stating, "These rulings have no impact on the merits of the case, and certainly has no impact on Ms. Jolie's case." The lawyer added, "At this point, Ms. Jolie is just looking forward to defeating the case at trial next year so that their family can finally focus their energies on healing and moving on."
Another Jolie source insisted that the actress "did not sell to Stoli for any reason other than she expected Stoli to be an excellent world-wide distribution partner who could help grow the business for the benefit of their children, who stood to inherit Brad's portion." The source added, "The truth is that Pitt's ego and obsession for control got in the way. Brad refused to work with Stoli simply because Angie chose them, not him."
Previous Rulings
Last month, Jolie achieved her own legal victory when a judge ruled that 22 private communications to Pitt's legal team were protected by attorney-client privilege and did not have to be turned over. Jolie's lawyer Paul Murphy called the ruling "an important victory for Ms. Jolie," describing Pitt as "completely out of bounds when he sought access to obviously privileged documents."
Pitt and Jolie's divorce was officially finalized in 2024, but litigation over Chateau Miraval continues. The trial is expected to take place next year.
