California Court of Appeal Rules in Brad Pitts Favor in Winery Dispute with Angelina Jolie

On June 24, 2026, the California Court of Appeal delivered a decision that tipped the scales in favor of actor Brad Pitt in the long‑running dispute over the French winery Château Miraval. The ruling overturned a lower court order that had allowed Russian businessman Yuri Shefler to withdraw from the case, restoring Pitt’s standing as a litigant.

The conflict began in 2021 when Angelina Jolie sold her 50 % stake in Château Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group owned by Shefler. Pitt, who had described himself as an “unwilling partner” in the transaction, sued in 2022, arguing that the sale was executed without his consent and that he was entitled to a share of the proceeds. Shefler’s motion to quash the lawsuit claimed he had minimal involvement in the negotiations and that Pitt had failed to demonstrate that Shefler intentionally benefited from doing business in California.

In its opinion, the appellate court rejected Shefler’s argument, holding that the purchase agreement was governed by California law. The court found that Shefler’s contacts with California—specifically, the acquisition of a California‑based company from a California resident—constituted purposeful availment of the state’s forum. The decision reversed the lower court’s ruling and allowed Pitt and his investment company, Mondo Bongo, to recover costs incurred in the appeal.

Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, told Us Weekly the following day that the ruling did not alter the merits of the case or the outcome of the trial scheduled for next year. “At this point, Ms. Jolie is just looking forward to defeating the case at trial so that their family can finally focus their energies on healing and moving on,” Murphy said.

The legal back‑and‑forth has unfolded against the backdrop of a high‑profile divorce that was finalized in December 2024. The former couple shares six children, and several have taken steps to remove Pitt’s surname from their own—a move described by sources as “devastating” for the actor.

The appellate decision carries several implications. First, it affirms California’s jurisdiction over a foreign wine estate that was sold through a California‑based entity, setting a precedent for similar cross‑border business disputes. Second, it highlights the complexities that arise when celebrity partners enter joint ventures that span multiple jurisdictions and involve high‑value assets. Finally, the ruling keeps the case alive, with a trial still pending.

At present, the appellate court’s decision is the latest development in a series of filings that have spanned more than a decade. Pitt and Jolie’s legal teams continue to prepare for the trial, while the broader public watches the proceedings with interest, given the high‑profile nature of the parties and the substantial value of the winery.

The case remains unresolved, but the appellate ruling has shifted the legal landscape in favor of Pitt, ensuring that his interests in Château Miraval will be represented in the upcoming trial.