Pitt and Jolie Finalize Divorce, But Miraval Dispute Remains

High-profile couple settles divorce after eight years; legal battle over French vineyard persists

2025-01-03

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The protracted divorce proceedings between Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie appear to have reached a final settlement, according to reports from U.S. media. However, the future ownership of Château Miraval, the prestigious estate in Provence, remains unresolved. After nearly eight years of legal battles, the former couple reportedly signed a divorce agreement at the end of December, though the terms have not been disclosed. Despite the settlement, the dispute over Miraval, one of France's most renowned vineyards, is ongoing.

Château Miraval, located in the village of Correns in the Var region, was purchased by Pitt and Jolie in 2011 after the couple had rented the property for three years. The estate, spanning more than 1,200 acres, includes a 17th-century castle and extensive vineyards. Beyond its real estate value, Miraval gained international fame for its rosé wine, produced in collaboration with the Perrin family, a respected name in the wine industry known for their work at Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The debut vintage of Miraval Rosé was released in 2013 and quickly became a sensation. The first 1,000 cases sold out within hours, establishing the brand as a leading name in premium rosé wines. Critics praised the wine for its balance and freshness, and it has since maintained its reputation as one of the world's top rosés.

The vineyard's ownership became a contentious issue in the couple's divorce. Miraval holds sentimental value, as Pitt and Jolie married there in 2014. However, their separation in 2016 cast uncertainty over the estate's future. The conflict intensified in 2021 when Jolie sold her 50% stake in Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, which owns a portfolio of luxury wines and spirits.

Jolie's sale triggered a lawsuit from Pitt, who alleged that the transaction violated an agreement stipulating that neither party could sell their share of the estate without the other's consent. Pitt claimed the sale harmed his interests by placing Miraval under the control of a company he did not want to collaborate with.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, legal disputes escalated. Stoli Group, through Tenute del Mondo, confirmed its involvement in the litigation, stating it had acquired Nouvel LLC, the entity through which Jolie held her stake in Miraval. Both sides have since filed lawsuits and countersuits, creating ongoing uncertainty about the vineyard's ownership.

Despite the legal turmoil, Miraval's wine production has continued without interruption. The brand remains popular, and its rosé continues to receive critical acclaim. In 2024, wine critic Elizabeth Gabay MW awarded 89 points to the 2023 vintage of Miraval Rosé, praising its freshness and aromatic complexity with notes of white flowers.

Château Miraval has also been the setting for cultural projects. In 2022, Pitt reopened Studio Miraval, a historic recording space on the estate that had been inactive for years. The studio, renovated in collaboration with French producer Damien Quintard, has a storied past, having hosted sessions with artists such as AC/DC, Sting, and The Cranberries.

While the ongoing legal battle over Miraval highlights the complexities of shared assets in high-profile divorces, the estate remains a symbol of the growing prominence of premium rosé wines and the increasing involvement of celebrities in the wine industry. However, the unresolved ownership dispute casts a shadow over the vineyard's future.

As the divorce proceedings between Pitt and Jolie draw to a close, the fight for Miraval continues, with some media dubbing the dispute the "Rosé War."

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