Court Sides With Angelina Jolie
Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie has secured a significant legal win in her ongoing dispute with former husband Brad Pitt over the French winery Château Miraval. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that Pitt cannot force Jolie to hand over a set of private emails connected to the controversial sale of her stake in the luxury estate.
The court determined that the communications were protected under legal privilege, rejecting Pitt’s request to access 22 emails tied to the transaction. The judge stated that Pitt “had not met his burden” to override the privilege claim, although the ruling leaves open the possibility of revisiting the issue later in the case.
Château Miraval Dispute Continues
The legal battle between the former couple began in 2022 when Pitt sued Jolie for allegedly selling her share of Château Miraval without his consent. Pitt claimed the sale violated an earlier agreement between them that neither would sell their stake in the French winery without approval from the other party.
Jolie later sold her interest to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, triggering a lengthy court dispute that has continued even after the pair finalized their divorce in December 2024. ([Reuters][2])
Judge Rejects Pitt’s Demand for Emails
According to court filings, Pitt’s legal team argued the emails could reveal Jolie’s intentions during negotiations related to the winery sale. However, the court concluded that the communications contained legal strategy and were therefore protected from disclosure.
The latest ruling overturned an earlier December 2025 order that had directed Jolie to provide the emails. That previous decision was later challenged and sent back for reconsideration after concerns over procedural flaws.
Jolie Denied Financial Sanctions Request
While Jolie celebrated the ruling as a major legal success, the court denied her separate request seeking nearly $34,000 in sanctions against Pitt’s legal team. Her lawyers had argued that Pitt’s attempts to compel disclosure were improper, but the judge concluded the actor’s arguments were not entirely without merit.
Sources close to Pitt reportedly described the ruling as only a temporary setback and suggested the issue could return during future proceedings.
High-Profile Legal Battle Far From Over
The Château Miraval dispute remains one of Hollywood’s most closely watched legal battles. The vineyard, located in southern France, was purchased by Pitt and Jolie in 2008 and later became the venue for their 2014 wedding.
The trial over ownership and financial control of the winery is currently scheduled for February 2027, although Jolie’s legal team has reportedly requested a later date.
