Brad Pitt’s winery lawsuit against Angelina Jolie gained a procedural win. A California appeals court ruled that Stoli Group owner Yuri Shefler must remain in the case.
The California Court of Appeals issued the ruling on Wednesday, June 24. It reversed a lower court decision that had allowed Shefler to exit the Château Miraval dispute.
Pitt and his investment company, Mondo Bongo, sued after Jolie sold her stake in the French winery to Tenute del Mondo in 2021. Tenute del Mondo is a subsidiary of the Stoli Group.
Court documents cited by Us Weekly said Pitt argued the sale made him an “unwilling partner” of Shefler without his consent.
Shefler had argued that he had limited involvement in the purchase talks. He also said Pitt had not shown that he purposely conducted business in California.
The appeals court rejected that argument. It said the share purchase agreement was governed by California law. In addition, Shefler’s contacts with the state were sufficient to establish California jurisdiction.
The court said Shefler’s California contacts in buying a California company from a California resident caused the alleged injury to another California resident and the California company. It reversed the lower court ruling. Additionally, it awarded appeal costs to Pitt and Mondo Bongo.
Jolie’s lawyer, Paul Murphy, said the ruling did not decide the merits of the lawsuit. He said Jolie looked forward to prevailing at trial next year.
Pitt filed the winery lawsuit in 2022. He alleges that Jolie sold her Miraval stake without the required approval under their agreement. Jolie disputes that consent agreement and says Pitt refused to discuss a buyout unless she signed a nondisclosure agreement.
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The winery fight continues after Pitt and Jolie finalised their divorce in December 2024. People reported that a related court order also requires Stoli Group members to appear for depositions in London by September 30.
