A wealthy Manhattan sommelier who worked in trendy Michelin-starred restaurants is said to have stabbed his wife in a terrifying attack that left her fearing for her life.
Aaron Von Rock, 55, appeared in court this week to answer charges of assault with intent to inflict serious injury with a weapon. However, he was released on his own recognizance — and even left the courthouse with a grin.
The wine connoisseur allegedly attacked his wife during a fit of rage in their Manhattan apartment, after which his wife warned police that “my husband tried to kill me,” police said.
Despite her request, Von Rock was convicted only of the lesser charge of assault.
He was seen as a rising star in the chic sommelier world and his former 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 resume
The alleged assault on Von Rock’s wife, whose name has not been released, occurred in their apartment on May 5.
The woman suffered a cut to her hand, as well as injuries to her leg and foot, the New York Post.
The sommelier was in court Wednesday, where he was released without bail despite prosecutors wanting to keep him in jail. Von Rock was instead referred to an alternative court program.
Judge Marva Brown also issued a temporary protective order to the restaurant owner’s terrified wife.
He has pleaded his innocence and must appear in court again on September 30.
The sommelier was in court Wednesday, where he was released without bail despite prosecutors’ request. Von Rock was instead referred to an alternative court program
Von Rock pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault with intent to inflict serious injury with a weapon after his wife reportedly told police her husband “tried to kill me”
Von Rock’s meteoric career in New York City’s most chic eateries culminated in his stint as sommelier at Benno (pictured), a Michelin-starred restaurant, in 2019
According to an interview with Wine SpectatorBorn in Maryland, Von Rock began his career in the wine industry at age three, when he stomped grapes for his family’s homemade wine.
After moving to New York City, Von Rock’s glittering career in the Big Apple’s most upscale eateries culminated when he joined Benno as a sommelier in 2019.
He was wine director at the Michelin-starred restaurant, located in the Evelyn Hotel, before it was forced to close due to the pandemic, reports Business insider.
Other top locations he worked at included Telepan on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, for which he won Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” in 2007.