EXCLUSIVE: Brad Pitt's Winery Business 'Blamed for His Return to Drinking'
Brad Pitt's winery business is once again at the forefront of his life.
Aug. 23 2026, Published 1:00 p.m. ET
Brad Pitt's determination to continue enjoying the wine produced at the French estate at the center of his bitter legal battle with Angelina Jolie is being blamed by those concerned for his health for his decision to start drinking again after seven years sober.
As Radaronline.com readers know, Pitt, 62, and Jolie, 51, remain locked in their long-running "War of the Rosé" over Château Miraval, their 1,200-acre Provence estate, where the former couple launched an award-winning wine in 2013.
Brad Pitt Ends 7-Year Sobriety Journey
Pitt attributed his returned alcohol use to enjoying his French winery estate, according to insiders.
Although their divorce was finalized in December 2024, their dispute over the winery has continued – while Pitt has now revealed he gradually reintroduced alcohol into his life.
A source familiar with Pitt's situation claimed to Radar: "Miraval has always remained incredibly important to Brad, both personally and professionally, and wine was inevitably part of that world.
"He wanted to be able to enjoy what the estate produces rather than feel that alcohol could never be part of his life again. That contributed to his decision to see whether he could drink in a controlled way. It is a big part of his decision to return to drinking."
Pitt confirmed his return to alcohol in a recent interview with Esquire.
He said: "I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon."
Brad Pitt Insists on Moderation After Sobriety
The actor admitted he learned to consume alcohol in a more restrained manner.
The actor insisted his drinking is now considerably more restrained, saying he had become "overconfident" on several occasions before recognizing his limits.
Pitt said he can "have a few" glasses of wine, adding: "I have to be professional about it."
Another source claimed Pitt's renewed drinking developed gradually and was not an impulsive response to the breakdown of his relationships with his six children.
The insider added: "Brad wasn't suddenly reaching for a bottle because something terrible happened. Miraval had remained a huge part of his life throughout this incredibly bruising fight with Angelina, and he was determined that the dispute wasn't also going to deprive him of enjoying the wine and the business he had helped build."
Ines de Ramon In Brad Pitt's Corner
Ines de Ramon began dating the Hollywood star in late 2022
Pitt has been dating jewelry executive Ines de Ramon, 33, since 2022, and sources have credited her with helping ensure his drinking remains moderate.
Concerns nevertheless remain among some ex-drinkers Pitt met through Alcoholics Anonymous, which he attended after his marriage collapsed in 2016.
The breakup followed an incident aboard a private aircraft involving Pitt, Jolie and their children.
Jolie later alleged in court filings that Pitt had physically abused her and some of the children. FBI documents detailed allegations that Pitt poured beer on Jolie and beer and wine on the children. Pitt was not charged, and child services did not find abuse.
Miraval Battle Fueling Return to Wine
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Legal disputes over Château Miraval continued long after the couple's divorce.
Pitt subsequently embraced sobriety and has previously credited Bradley Cooper with helping him kick drink.
Discussing that period on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, Pitt said: "I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open. I was trying anything and everyone, anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the f--- up in some areas."
His legal confrontation with Jolie over Miraval has long outlasted their divorce.
A source claimed about the marathon and bitter post-split battle: "Brad sees Miraval as something worth fighting for. For him, returning to wine in moderation became tied to refusing to allow that battle to dictate another part of his life."
