Domaine Lajibe
Jean-Baptiste Semmartin
The Lajibe estate was founded in Lucq-de-Béarn, and it is on the terroir of Serres-Seques, a region in the South-West, that Jean-Baptiste Semmartin began. Today, the estate spans eight hectares, all cultivated in biodynamics.
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The Wines of Domaine Lajibe
An Athlete at Domaine Lajibe
A former athlete who came into winemaking a bit later in life—at epi-curieux.com, we love these kinds of unconventional stories. Here’s the story of Jean-Baptiste Semmartin from Domaine Lajibe, a skilled and respected winemaker from the Southwest of France, more specifically in the Jurançon appellation.
The Story of Jean-Baptiste Semmartin
A former high-level fencer and a frequent gym-goer in Paris, Jean-Baptiste Semmartin was not exactly destined to end up in the vineyards at the age of forty.
But it was while pacing around those gyms that he realized he wasn’t where he truly wanted to be.
Originally from the Southwest of France, he grew up close to nature, in a simple and enriching environment. His bond with the land proved stronger than his attachment to teaching in Paris. So he naturally pursued a BTS in Viticulture and Oenology, followed by internships in Bordeaux, the Southwest, and then in Burgundy.
It was under the great Emmanuel Giboulot that he honed his new craft and confirmed his life change. Raised with simple and natural values, he gravitated towards clean agriculture rooted in common-sense farming and winemaking without chemical additives. At Giboulot’s, he learned environmentally respectful techniques: biodynamics, traditional vineyard work, all with a Burgundian influence.
But the call of his native Southwest was stronger. He returned home with his wife and began working at a large estate. In 2018, he launched his own project with the support of his former employer.
This is how Domaine Lajibe was born in Lucq-de-Béarn, on the terroir of Serres-Seques. Today, the estate spans eight hectares, all cultivated biodynamically.
Thanks to him, you’ll discover the grapes Petit and Gros Manseng. Unique varieties that produce exceptional cuvées.
The Wines of Jean-Baptiste Semmartin
Very humble, Jean-Baptiste Semmartin lets nature take the lead so it can fully express itself. A keen observer and rational thinker, he draws inspiration from it to craft wines with tremendous energy—authentic, stunning natural wines. Can we say his wines are as kind as he is?
Jean-Baptiste quickly became part of the Jurançon elite, showcasing the precision and quality of his work in both the vineyard and the cellar.
The entire Domaine Lajibe is run according to biodynamic principles, showing total respect for the environment. Above all, Jean-Baptiste wants to love what he does—and it shows in his wines, which are now sought-after and rare.
Originally, his cuvée Jurançon Serres-Seques was meant to be a sweet wine (first vintage in 2018). But after tasting his grapes, Jean-Baptiste decided it would shine better as a dry Jurançon. This cuvée highlights Petit Manseng, a grape typically suited for sweet wines (low juice yield, lots of sun). This Petit Manseng comes from the Serre Secques parcel, meaning “dry ridge,” with rocky, poor soil, a steep slope, and full sun exposure. The wine was vinified and aged in wood, resting for a full year before release.
All of these elements combine to make this a very special and unique wine. Generous, complex, bursting with energy—Jean-Baptiste Semmartin lets nature speak through his Domaine Lajibe wines, and it shows.
Mansengs et Compagnie
Alongside Domaine Lajibe, Jean-Baptiste Semmartin has also launched a small négociant business called Mansengs et Compagnie.
From there, he sources Gros Manseng grapes from a relatively high-altitude parcel (350m)—quite rare for the region—to produce the dry Jurançon cuvée Les Poudingues. As the name suggests, Les Poudingues comes from a parcel of small sedimentary pebbles left by Pyrenean glaciers. This unique feature enhances the Gros Manseng grapes, which Jean-Baptiste handles with the same care and precision as his Domaine Lajibe wines.
Dense, full-bodied, sharp—a dry Jurançon in all its splendor, a reflection of Jean-Baptiste Semmartin himself.
A former top-level athlete in Parisian gyms, Jean-Baptiste Semmartin has skillfully risen to the top of Jurançon. If there’s any left, don’t wait—his wines are truly UNIQUE! And if they’re sold out—patience (we at epi-curieux.com are hoping to get more too)!
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