As Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s tumultuous divorce unfolded, the picturesque £150 million vineyard in the South of France, known as Chateau Miraval, became a focal point of their legal battles. Initially purchased in 2008 with a 60-40 split in Pitt’s favor, the estate has a storied history, featuring a 35-bed manor house, a recording studio where Pink Floyd recorded “The Wall,” and 1,000 acres of sprawling land. However, the once-shared dream home turned into a source of conflict when Jolie sold her half to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler.
Accusations flew in the courtroom, with Jolie’s lawyer criticizing Pitt’s behavior as “petulant” and questioning his winemaking skills, suggesting he “deals in illusions, not dirt and grapes.” The sale of the vineyard was viewed by Pitt as a betrayal and an act of revenge by Jolie after a judge granted him 50-50 custody of their children in 2016. Pitt, who initially favored Heineken over wine, had embraced winemaking as part of their shared vision for the estate.
The vineyard dispute unveiled the contrasting narratives of their once-blissful beginnings. In 2005, Brangelina, the world’s most scrutinized couple, emerged as Pitt left Jennifer Aniston for Jolie. Seeking refuge from the celebrity spotlight, they embarked on a house-hunting journey in France in 2007. The Miraval estate, with its vast acreage and amenities, became their idyllic retreat.
Despite the ongoing legal battles and accusations, the history of Chateau Miraval reflects the couple’s desire for privacy and a haven for their growing family. What started as a symbol of love and escape has now transformed into a complex saga of bitterness and legal wrangling, encapsulating the unraveling of a once-enviable Hollywood power couple.
‘Angie is smiling’
“Brad and I moved the tables around in the garden and we had lunch, drank the wines of Miraval, which were very good, then we toured the rest of the property.
“It seemed they wanted to buy it right then.”
Bove says that Pitt told him: “This is the first place we visited where Angie is smiling.”
As part of their idyllic life at Chateau Miraval, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt celebrated their union with a wedding in 2014. During the intimate ceremony held in the estate’s ancient chapel, Pitt gifted Jolie ten percent of his share of the vineyard as a wedding present. Despite suggestions of a “doomsday clause” to address potential property division in case of a split, Pitt dismissed the idea, confident in their everlasting commitment. This decision would later prove significant in the unfolding legal disputes.
Pitt’s lawyers argued that the couple made an informal agreement not to sell the property without mutual consent, a claim Jolie refuted. The couple entrusted Tom Bove to manage the estate, providing an insider’s view into their celebrity lifestyle. Miraval soon became a hub for Hollywood stars, with Johnny Depp, George Clooney, John Malkovich, and George Lucas establishing residences nearby.
Renovations transformed the estate, with Pitt bringing a touch of California to Provence. The property buzzed with activity, featuring vans filled with furniture, a team of movers, nannies, cooks, maids, cleaners, and personal assistants. Notable furniture designer Frank Pollaro, flown in from New Jersey, played a role in adding a personalized touch to the estate. Pitt’s thoughtful birthday gift to Jolie, a 1920s-inspired French desk with a mother-of-pearl constellation reflecting her Gemini birth sign, showcased their attention to detail.
Pitt’s interest in wine also flourished during this time. Enthusiastic to learn, he approached Pollaro with a desire to explore the world of wine. In 2009, after receiving a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape from Pollaro, Pitt expressed his enjoyment, stating, “That wine sure was terrific, and Angie loved it too.” These moments of shared joy and collaboration painted a picture of a life filled with love, creativity, and the pursuit of shared dreams at Chateau Miraval.
‘Love letter to wife’
Despite Brad Pitt’s initial preference for Heineken, his journey into the world of wine at Miraval became a defining chapter. Collaborating with Marc Perrin, the producer behind the Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine gifted by Frank Pollaro, Pitt aimed to create a world-class wine. This venture not only symbolized their commitment to quality but also mirrored their aspiration for a beautiful life on the estate.
Miraval, according to Vanity Fair, was a haven where the family enjoyed a blissful existence. Pitt’s thoughtful additions, such as 30 small screens displaying images of the children and a petting zoo featuring goats, chickens, and peacocks, reflected a desire to shield his loved ones from the pressures of celebrity life. For Pitt, Miraval was a love letter to his wife and children.
The success of Miraval Rosé, with the first 6,000 bottles selling out within five hours in 2012, marked a triumphant entry into the wine industry. The estate’s diverse offerings expanded beyond wine, encompassing honey, olive oil, skincare products, and music produced at Miraval Studios. Sales reached an impressive £38 million in 2021, showcasing the multifaceted success of Miraval.
Gary Bradbury, the head of security at Miraval, emphasized Pitt’s dedication to both his wife and the estate. Pitt, amidst overseeing reconstruction work for eight to 12 hours a day, consistently made time for his children, embodying a commitment to family and creating a utopian haven on the grounds of Miraval.
Gary said: “At one o’clock, he’d tell me to give him a knock so he could get the quads ready for the children to ride on the estate.
“Or he would take the kids fishing on the lake.
“He made sure he was available for his children at all times.
“Angie would come out and bring lunch and we’d all sit there and have a picnic.
“It was very lovey-dovey, quite romantic.
“I used to take my sandwich and walk away.
“It was their time.”
The serene life at Miraval, where Brad Pitt enjoyed jogging through the surrounding forests and strumming his guitar on a rock, represented a dream of tranquility for the Hollywood star. Pitt, who embraced the role of a farmer, envisioned turning part of Miraval into an artist’s colony, embodying a desire for creativity and a laid-back existence.
However, the idyllic atmosphere at Miraval took a drastic turn in September 2016. An incident on a flight, where Pitt allegedly attacked Angelina Jolie while intoxicated, marked the beginning of a tumultuous period. Although no charges were filed, Jolie swiftly filed for divorce, leading to a legal battle over Miraval and custody issues.
The dispute escalated when Jolie sold her half of Miraval in October 2021, a move Pitt claims to have learned about through a press release. In February of the following year, Pitt filed a lawsuit against Jolie, alleging the illegal sale of her share to an adversarial party to undermine him and the venture negatively.
The legal back-and-forth has intensified, with Jolie’s former investment firm, Nouvel, characterizing Pitt’s actions as those of a “petulant child” and accusing him of “looting” the vineyard. Pitt, in turn, has faced allegations of spending millions on vanity projects.
The tragic turn of events underscores the stark contrast between the love the couple once had for Miraval and the bitter legal battles that now define their relationship with the estate. In an emotional email to Pitt four years after their divorce, Jolie reflected on Miraval as the place where they brought their twins home and exchanged vows, highlighting the emotional significance the property held for both of them.
“A place where I thought I would grow old.
“But it is also the place that marks the beginning of the end of our family.”
