After years of legal battles over their French winery, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have finally agreed to try to resolve their dispute through mediation. The former couple, who divorced in 2016, have been locked in a bitter feud over the ownership and management of the Château Miraval estate, which they bought in 2008 for around €20m (£17m).
The Château Miraval is a 1,300-acre property in Provence that produces a signature rosé wine, as well as olive oil and honey. Pitt and Jolie partnered with the Perrin family of winemakers in 2013 to launch the Miraval brand, which became an instant success and generated profits of €15m (£12.8m) in 2022.
However, things turned sour when Jolie sold her 50% stake in the winery to a Russian oligarch in October 2021, without offering Pitt the chance to buy it first. Pitt sued Jolie for breach of contract and accused her of “systematic obstruction” of his involvement in the business. He also claimed that she sold her shares to gain “financial independence” from him and to end their “deeply painful and traumatic” relationship.
Jolie countersued Pitt and alleged that he tried to “seize control” of the winery and “loot” its assets. She also accused him of acting like a “petulant child” and wasting millions on “vanity projects” such as renovating the swimming pool, rebuilding the staircase four times, and restoring a recording studio. She also brought up allegations of abuse that she and their children suffered at the hands of Pitt during a flight in 2016, which were investigated by the FBI and the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, but resulted in no charges against Pitt.
Now, it seems that both parties are willing to put an end to their legal war and reach a settlement out of court. According to documents filed last week, Jolie has agreed to participate in a mediation conference to resolve the dispute. A commercial court in Draguignan, France, has appointed a “provisional administrator” to protect the winemaking business until an agreement is reached. The Perrin family will remain in charge of making the wine.
It is unclear what terms Pitt and Jolie are seeking or how long the mediation process will take. However, it is hoped that they can find a way to coexist peacefully as co-owners of the Château Miraval and preserve its reputation as one of the finest wineries in France.
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