Brad Pitt Seeks to Depose Russian Oligarch in Bitter Winery Battle with Angelina Jolie
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt is intensifying his legal confrontation with ex-wife Angelina Jolie by seeking to compel a wealthy Russian businessman to testify regarding their disputed French winery. According to recently filed court documents, the 62-year-old Oscar winner has formally requested a judge to order Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler to appear for a remote deposition.
The ongoing legal saga centers on Chateau Miraval, the prestigious French vineyard that Pitt and Jolie purchased together in 2008. The former couple's relationship has deteriorated into a protracted courtroom battle following Jolie's controversial decision to sell her 50% stake in the property to Shefler for $67 million in 2021.
Deposition Dispute Escalates Legal Conflict
In new legal filings, Pitt's legal team alleges that Shefler has refused to sit for a deposition despite what they claim is his crucial involvement in the transaction. Pitt contends that emails demonstrate Shefler had direct contact with Jolie regarding the winery purchase, suggesting the Russian businessman possesses relevant knowledge about the deal's orchestration.
"Pitt has learned that the transaction was orchestrated by, and closed at the behest of Shefler," states the court filing, emphasizing the necessity of questioning the oligarch. Shefler, who owns the parent company of Stoli vodka, has reportedly resisted the deposition request by citing his residency in Switzerland.
Background of the Bitter Winery Dispute
The conflict originates from what Pitt claims was a mutual agreement that neither party would sell their stake in Chateau Miraval without the other's approval. The 1,000-acre estate, now valued at approximately $164 million, holds particular significance as the location where Pitt and Jolie married in 2014.
Pitt initiated legal action against Jolie in 2022, alleging she violated their agreement by selling her share to Shefler without his consent. The winery, which produces award-winning sparkling rosé, had become what sources describe as Pitt's "passion project" during their relationship.
Recent Legal Developments and Document Demands
In December 2025, Pitt secured a significant legal victory when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lia Martin ordered Jolie to surrender 22 previously withheld documents related to the Miraval sale. The ruling, delivered just before Pitt's 62nd birthday, gave Jolie 45 days to comply with the disclosure order.
The disputed communications include exchanges between Jolie and her business manager Terry Bird, along with trusted aides Chloe Dalton and Lady Arminka Helic. Pitt's legal team argues these documents contain critical business discussions rather than protected legal strategy, as Jolie has claimed.
Escalating Tensions and Financial Stakes
The discovery process has grown increasingly contentious, with Jolie's attorneys threatening to seek sanctions against Pitt and his legal representatives. They have characterized Pitt's motions as "frivolous" and premature, while Pitt's side dismisses these claims as "theatrics" designed to deflect from substantive issues.
Jolie faces potential financial damages if she fails to reverse the Shefler transaction, adding substantial pressure to the already tense proceedings. The court has additionally ordered her to produce every non-disclosure agreement signed with third parties between 2014 and 2022.
Personal Dimensions and Family Dynamics
Beyond the business dispute, personal elements continue to surface in legal filings. Jolie has stated that neither she nor her children have returned to Miraval since the divorce, citing "painful events" associated with the property. She claims to have relinquished control of their family homes without compensation following their 2016 separation.
The former couple, who divorced in 2024 after eight years of legal proceedings, share six children ranging in age from 17 to 24. Most of their children have reportedly sided with Jolie in the family dispute, with several dropping the Pitt surname.
Future Proceedings and Mediation Efforts
Judge Martin has established a trial date of February 1, 2027, with court-ordered mediation scheduled for October 28, 2026. The extended timeline suggests this complex legal battle will continue for years, with both parties demonstrating determination to pursue their claims vigorously.
Pitt has achieved several legal victories in various jurisdictions, including a favorable ruling in Luxembourg that temporarily restored his control over the vineyard pending further hearings. As the conflict enters its next phase, the deposition request targeting Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler represents the latest escalation in this high-stakes celebrity legal drama.
