Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie's Long-Running Winery Dispute 'To Get Even Uglier' As It Heads To Trial
By Favour Adegoke on November 14, 2024 at 8:15 PM EST
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's winery legal battle may head to trial after a court recently dismissed the actress's motions to dismiss the case.
The duo previously shared ownership of the Château Miraval, but the actress sold her stake in 2021.
Angelina Jolie's decision led Brad Pitt to sue her, claiming that the sale was done without his permission as required by a verbal agreement they had.
The Former Couple's Vineyard Battle Will Reportedly Be Decided In Court At A Trial
Despite being separated for many years, Pitt and Jolie have remained at odds due to their ongoing battle over Château Miraval and its surrounding vineyards, which they officially purchased in 2012.
In 2022, Pitt filed a $67 million lawsuit against his ex-wife, alleging she had sold her shares in the estate to Russian businessman Yuri Shefler and his Stoli group in 2021, thus violating a verbal agreement that neither would sell their stakes without the other's consent.
The suit has since lingered unresolved due to multiple motions filed by Jolie to dismiss it. However, the former couple may finally be heading to trial after Superior Court Judge Lia Martin recently dismissed Jolie's latest motion for dismissal.
According to the Daily Mail, Jolie had argued that when Pitt had her sign an NDA regarding their marriage, it voided the verbal agreement.
Yet, recent court filings suggest the judge found grounds to uphold Pitt's claims that their original verbal agreement was binding.
Brad Pitt Insider Called Out Anjelina Jolie Over Her NDA Strategy
Although a trial date has yet to be scheduled, it is expected to take place next year. This will determine whether Jolie will have to reverse her deal with Shefler.
Before the recent decision, a source close to Pitt criticized Jolie's NDA argument, stating it "has backfired spectacularly" after the court requested that she provide NDAs she signed with third parties, including staff.
The insider said about the actress, "Her defense has been exposed as a house of cards, and she will now have to provide details of all the NDAs she demanded of third parties."
They also claimed that the ruling could spell trouble for Jolie's defense when the case eventually goes to trial.
The insider continued, "There is no question that this is a huge setback for her. There's a long way to go, but in the context of the case so far, this is a hugely important and far-reaching ruling which will be problematic for her defense."
Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt's Dispute Will 'Get Even Uglier'
Some sources cited Jolie's NDA objection as purely a case of frustration over Pitt's award of joint custody of their children in 2021.
An insider commented, "It's already been ugly, but it's going to get even uglier as Angie is bent on retaliating against Brad and will try to continue to settle more old personal scores."
Another insider criticized Jolie for turning the winery dispute into an opportunity to settle old scores, adding that it had done her more harm than good.
"This is a straightforward business dispute, but unfortunately, the other side has consistently introduced personal elements which have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings," said the source.
Brad Pitt's Relationship With His Children Is Strained
During their marriage, Pitt and Jolie shared six children: Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, who were adopted, along with their biological children, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne.
In August, reports surfaced that Pitt has had "virtually no contact" with his older children for some time, per People Magazine.
The children in question appear to be Maddox, Pax, Zahara, and Shiloh, who have either already turned 18 or recently reached that age, which means they are no longer subject to any custody arrangement he was given in 2021.
The Kids Have 'Struggle To Forgive And Connect' With Their Father
He still has "visitation" with the younger kids, twins Vivienne and Knox, although they seem also to have a strained relationship with the actor.
A different source had previously spoken about the deterioration in Pitt's relationship with his kids, saying "they've struggled to forgive and connect with him since the divorce," per US Weekly.
The insider added, "Their mom is the head of the household, and she's raised them with love and selflessness their whole lives. Once Brad left, it was very hard for them to see him go to war with her."
