Château Miraval: A shared dream
The partnership of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
The story of Angelina Jolie wine, intrinsically linked to Château Miraval, began as a shared dream between two of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Their journey with this exquisite French estate was not merely a business venture but a deeply personal project that unfolded against the backdrop of their celebrated relationship. The couple first leased Château Miraval in 2008, a sprawling property nestled in the picturesque Correns, Var region of the south of France. This initial lease provided them with an option to purchase, a stepping stone towards solidifying their vision for the estate. By 2011, their commitment had deepened, and they acquired the domaine, forging a significant 50/50 partnership with the esteemed winemaker, Marc Perrin. This collaboration was pivotal, blending Pitt and Jolie’s passion for the property with the Perrin family’s centuries-old expertise in viticulture and winemaking. The château itself, with its rich history and serene beauty, became more than just a vineyard; it was a sanctuary, a place where their family life and professional aspirations intertwined. The estate’s historic chapel even bore witness to their union, as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie exchanged vows there in August 2014, a testament to the profound personal significance Miraval held for them.
Miraval wine launch and initial success
The partnership between Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and the Perrin family culminated in the highly anticipated launch of Miraval Wines. The initial offering, a Côtes de Provence Rosé, was met with immediate and overwhelming success, quickly establishing the Château Miraval as a name to be reckoned with in the competitive world of fine wines. The debut in 2013 was nothing short of spectacular; 6,000 bottles of the Miraval Rosé were released, and in a remarkable display of consumer demand and critical acclaim, they sold out within a mere five hours. This astonishing sell-out was a clear indication that the angelina jolie wine and Brad Pitt’s venture was not just a celebrity endorsement but a product of genuine quality and appeal. The wine itself, produced under the renowned Côtes de Provence appellation, immediately garnered attention for its refined character. This initial triumph set a high bar, showcasing the potential of the estate and the successful synergy between the Hollywood power couple and the experienced Perrin family winemakers. The Miraval wine launch proved that their shared dream was translating into tangible, celebrated success in the global wine market.
The legal battle over Angelina Jolie wine
Jolie sells her shares: The Stoli Group deal
The narrative of the Château Miraval and its associated angelina jolie wine took a dramatic and contentious turn with Angelina Jolie’s decision to sell her shares in the winery. In October 2021, Jolie divested her half of the stake to Tenute del Mondo, a company that is a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, famously known for its vodka brand. This transaction, reportedly valued at approximately $164 million at the time of the sale, marked a significant shift in the ownership structure of the beloved French estate. The sale was executed without Brad Pitt’s prior knowledge or consent, according to Pitt’s subsequent legal filings. Jolie’s move to sell her half of the winery to Yuri Shefler, the owner of Stoli Vodka, introduced a new, complex dimension to the already intertwined personal and business lives of the former couple. This unilateral decision by Jolie to exit the partnership and sell her shares to an external entity would soon trigger a protracted and acrimonious legal dispute, fundamentally altering the legacy of the Miraval wine as a symbol of their shared past.
Pitt files suit: Ongoing legal disputes
Following Angelina Jolie’s sale of her shares in Château Miraval to the Stoli Group, Brad Pitt initiated a series of legal actions aimed at challenging the transaction and attempting to reverse the sale. Pitt’s legal team filed lawsuits in both California and France, alleging a significant breach of their original agreement. Central to Pitt’s claims is the assertion that Jolie sold her stake without affording him the right of first refusal, a clause they allegedly had in place, which would have given him the opportunity to buy her out. The legal disputes have become increasingly complex and are ongoing, spanning multiple jurisdictions. Pitt’s legal victories have also been a part of this saga, with a court ruling in 2024 that he became the largest shareholder in Miraval following these legal successes. The legal battle over Miraval has thus evolved from a business partnership dispute into a deeply entrenched legal quagmire, casting a long shadow over the Château Miraval and the angelina jolie wine brand that was once a symbol of their shared success and family life.
What is Miraval Rosé like?
Tasting notes and plaudits for Miraval wine
Beyond the headlines of its celebrity owners and the ensuing legal battles, the Miraval Rosé stands on its own merits as a highly regarded wine. The Côtes de Provence Rosé Miraval has consistently earned praise from critics and wine enthusiasts alike, cementing its reputation for quality. Wine Spectator magazine, a highly respected publication in the wine world, has bestowed accolades upon the Miraval wine, highlighting its excellence. Described as a dry rosé, it offers a sophisticated palate with distinct tasting notes. Common descriptors include delicate hints of pear, pomegranate, and citrus, complemented by a subtle minerality. The wine is characterized by a soft, round body that makes it immediately approachable, balanced by a crisp acidity that provides freshness and elegance, ensuring a lingering, pleasant finish. This well-balanced profile makes the Miraval Rosé a versatile wine, suitable for a variety of occasions and pairings, from light appetizers to seafood and Mediterranean dishes. Its consistent quality and refined taste are key reasons for its enduring popularity, even amidst the controversies surrounding its ownership.
Other Miraval products: Olive oil and Rosé Champagne
While the Miraval Rosé is undoubtedly the flagship product and the most recognized aspect of the angelina jolie wine narrative, the estate’s commitment to quality extends beyond just rosé. Château Miraval also produces other premium products, showcasing the fertility and potential of its land. Among these is an exquisite organic extra virgin olive oil, a testament to the estate’s agricultural diversity and dedication to organic practices. This olive oil, like the wine, embodies the essence of the Provençal terroir, offering a rich, fruity flavor profile. Furthermore, in a move that further elevated the prestige of the Miraval brand, the estate ventured into the world of high-end sparkling wine. In January 2020, Miraval released a Rosé Champagne, aptly named Fleur de Miraval. This ambitious project was undertaken in collaboration with Rodolphe Péters, a renowned Champagne producer, signifying a commitment to excellence and innovation. The Fleur de Miraval represents a sophisticated expression of rosé, crafted using the traditional Champagne method, and further solidifies the estate’s position as a producer of diverse, high-quality artisanal products.
The legacy of Angelina Jolie wine at Miraval
Château Miraval: A history beyond the couple
The story of Château Miraval is far richer and longer than its association with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. While the angelina jolie wine and Pitt’s involvement brought global attention to the estate, the Château Miraval has a storied history that predates their ownership by many decades. This magnificent estate in the south of France was not merely a blank canvas for their celebrity venture; it was a place already imbued with artistic and cultural significance. For many years, the property housed a recording studio, a creative hub that attracted legendary musicians. Artists of the caliber of Pink Floyd and Sting once recorded here, leaving their mark on the vineyard’s storied past. This history of artistic patronage and the tranquil, inspiring environment of the property contributed to its unique allure. Understanding this deeper history is crucial to appreciating Château Miraval not just as a product of a Hollywood romance and subsequent legal battle, but as a place with a profound legacy in both winemaking and the broader cultural landscape, a testament to its enduring appeal and the land’s inherent potential.
The children and the winery: A painful connection
The Château Miraval holds a particularly poignant and painful connection for Angelina Jolie and her children, a stark contrast to the idyllic image often associated with the estate and its wine. For Jolie, the vineyard and the winery are intertwined with difficult memories, especially following her divorce from Brad Pitt. She has openly stated that she and their children have not returned to the Château Miraval since the divorce, citing “painful events” that have made revisiting the property an impossibility. This sentiment underscores how deeply the Château Miraval was integrated into their family life during happier times, serving as a backdrop for their lives together. The wine itself, once a symbol of their shared dream and family endeavor, now carries the weight of their fractured personal history. The children, who were once an integral part of the estate’s life and future vision, are now linked to it through a complex and emotionally charged past, making any continued association with the Château Miraval a source of ongoing pain and a reminder of what was lost.
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