The castle of Barbischio overlooks the town of Gaiole in Chianti, in the Middle Age 'terziere' (one of the three principal members) of the military force constituted by the Florentine named 'Chianti League' [Lega del Chianti].

The first notices of Barbischio dates back to year 1086. In 1220 the castle and its territory were granted in fief by the emperor Frederick II of Schwabia to the Counts Guidi of Battifolle.

Together with the near Montegrossi, Vertine and Meleto the castle belonged to the Florentine defenses of this area of Chianti, on the borderline with the territories of Siena. The principal function of Barbischio was, thanks to its tall watch tower, to be used as outpost. In 1230 a raid of the Sienese army seriously damaged the fortification.

Subsequently, as many castles of this area,  Barbischio became possession of the powerful feudal family of the Ricasoli.

The last historical event that interested the castle was in 1478, when it was occupied by the Aragonese army.

After this event the fortification was abandoned and allowed to go slowly in ruins. Recently the rests of the tower have been consolidated and transformed in a private residence. Around the tower are still visible a part of the enclosure wall, and it is still well appreciable the full dominion on the underlying valley that could be practiced from here. All the area is now famous for the production of 'Chianti Wine'.