A wealthy Manhattan sommelier who has worked in trendy Michelin-starred restaurants allegedly stabbed his wife in a terrifying attack that left her fearing for her life.
Aaron Von Rock, 55, appeared in court this week to face charges of assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon, but was released on his own recognizance and even smiled as he left the courtroom.
The wine connoisseur allegedly attacked his wife during a frenzied episode in their Manhattan apartment, prompting his wife to warn police: “My husband tried to kill me,” cops said.
Despite his plea, Von Rock was only charged with the lesser charge of assault.
He was considered a rising star in the luxury world of sommeliers and his previous employers included the Michelin-starred restaurant Benno.
Aaron Von Rock, 55, is accused of attacking his wife (pictured together) in their Manhattan apartment on May 5.
The wealthy sommelier was seen as a rising star in the industry and has Michelin-starred restaurants on his CV.
The alleged stabbing of Von Rock’s wife, whose name has not been released, took place in their apartment on May 5.
The woman was left with a cut on her hand, as well as wounds on her leg and foot, reports the The New York Post.
The sommelier appeared in court on Wednesday, where he was released without bail despite prosecutors wanting him to remain in jail. Von Rock was instead sent to an alternative court program.
Judge Marva Brown also issued a temporary protective order against the restaurant owner’s terrified wife.
He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on September 30.
The sommelier was in court Wednesday, where he was released without bail despite prosecutors requesting it. Von Rock was instead remanded to an alternative court program.
Von Rock pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon, after his wife allegedly told police her husband “tried to kill me.”
Von Rock’s dazzling career at New York City’s finest restaurants culminated in his work as sommelier at Benno (pictured), a Michelin-starred restaurant, in 2019.
According to an interview with Wine SpectatorVon Rock was born in Maryland and began his career in the wine industry at the age of three, when he stomped grapes for his family’s homemade wine.
After moving to New York City, Von Rock’s dazzling career at the Big Apple’s most elegant restaurants culminated with his work as sommelier at Benno in 2019.
He was the wine director of the Michelin-starred restaurant, located in the Evelyn Hotel, before it was forced to close during the pandemic, reports Business Insider.
Other notable venues he has worked at include Telepan on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, which earned him Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” in 2007.
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