A California appeals court has reversed a lower court decision, ordering secretive vodka billionaire Yuri Shefler to testify in actor Brad Pitt's ongoing lawsuit concerning the sale of their Chateau Miraval vineyard. This ruling represents a significant legal victory for Pitt in his protracted dispute with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over the French wine estate.
The appellate court found that Shefler, the Swiss-based owner of the Stolichnaya vodka empire, had purposefully engaged with California jurisdiction, directly contradicting his earlier claims of minimal involvement in the $64 million deal. The court stated, "It defies credulity that Shefler, a sophisticated businessman, would risk almost $40 million on a transaction about which he knew nothing and with which he had no involvement."
Pitt initially sued Jolie in February 2022, alleging she sold her 50 percent stake in the estate without his consent. He contends they had an implied agreement that neither would sell their share to a third party without the other's approval, an assertion Jolie's side denies.
Shefler, through his company SPI Group and its subsidiary Tenute del Mondo, had argued that as a Swiss resident, he played no role in the negotiations for Jolie's stake, which was sold in September 2021. However, the appeals court highlighted Shefler's personal guarantee of $39 million for Jolie's installment payments and his direct communications with Jolie, including letters thanking her for her offer and trust. Internal emails also show his staff referring to him as "The Founder" and "Mr. S" during the transaction.
The court's ruling dismantled Shefler's argument that California lacked jurisdiction, pointing to his purchase of Nouvel LLC, the California company Jolie used to hold her Miraval interest, from a California resident. The purchase agreement and preceding exclusivity agreement were governed by California law and included California forum-selection clauses. Shefler's bank guarantee was also addressed to Jolie via her Los Angeles-based business manager.
Jolie, in turn, has accused Pitt of waging a "vindictive war" that has devalued the estate and prevented her company from participating in its management. She has also stated in court filings that she and her children have not visited Miraval since the couple's split, citing its connection to painful events. Jolie previously stated she handed Pitt full control of their family homes "without compensation" hoping it would lead to calmer dealings.
The legal battle traces back to a September 2016 flight from France to Los Angeles, which Jolie described as violent, alleging Pitt physically assaulted her and one of their children. Pitt has disputed this account.
The current ruling allows Shefler to face trial alongside other defendants. The case, involving an estate valuation of approximately $164 million, is scheduled for trial on February 1, 2027, with mediation ordered for October 28. Shefler had also contested Pitt's attempts to depose him, but the new ruling makes his arguments against testifying more difficult to sustain.
Jolie's attorney, Paul Murphy, stated that the ruling "has no impact on the merits of the case" and that Jolie looks forward to defeating the case at trial. Representatives for Shefler did not immediately respond to requests for comment.